Antimicrobial activity, inhibition of urogenital pathogens, and synergistic interactions between lactobacillus strains.
Lactobacillus fermentum strain L23 and L. rhamnosus strain L60 were selected as an alternative treatment to prevent or treat urogenital infections based on their probiotic properties and production of bacteriocins. The objectives of the present work were to study the inhibitory activities of these two bacteriocin-producing strains, and to analyze the interactions between pairs of bacteriocins that inhibit urogenital pathogens. Antimicrobial activity tests of L23 and L60 were performed by a diffusion method with 207 bacterial strains, isolated from female patients presenting a urogenital infection. Inhibitory substances interaction tests were carried out by using a streak-diffusion method on agar plates. One hundred percent of the clinical isolates showed sensitivity to the antimicrobial substances produced by L23 and L60. The selected lactobacilli produced larger inhibition halos when compared to several antibiotics commonly used for treating these infections. Synergistic interactions and indifferent interactions were recorded in 68.6% and 31.4% of the cases, respectively. No antagonistic interactions were observed. In conclusion, the bacteriocin-producing strains L23 and L60 are potential candidates for probiotic prophylaxis and treatment of urogenital disorders in women.
Departamento Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas, Fco-Qcas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC), Ruta Nacional 36 Km.601. CP: X5804BYA, 5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
Francisco O
FO
Ruiz
Gisela
G
Gerbaldo
Paula
P
Asurmendi
Liliana M
LM
Pascual
Walter
W
Giordano
Isabel L
IL
Barberis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000898:Antibiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001430:Bacteriocins