Exploring the Antifungal Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on Candida albicans: A review

Abstract

Candida albicans is one of the major pathogens of concern as an opportunistic fungal organism that is a normal component of the human microbiota. Vulvo vaginal candidiasis is commonly seen in women and can impact up to 75% of women at least once during their lifetime. People with AIDS are prone to oral and esophageal candidiasis, and these infections frequently lead to oral cancers, denture use, and these patients do not have the ability to produce saliva. Individuals with burns and newborns especially premature babies are also vulnerable to C. albicans skin infections. In patients belonging to vulnerable groups and weak individuals in intensive care units, it may enter the bloodstream and cause infection called candidaemia, which will lead to disseminated candidiasis if the infection spreads to internal organs. Death rates reported in various studies ranging from 30–50%; some studies show that this is the second largest leading reason for death. As antifungal drug-resistant Candida infections are increasingly reported, alternative antifungal strategies are required. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is one of the most versatile and extensively studied species due to its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and its metabolic flexibility. L. plantarum is known to produce a wide range of antimicrobial compounds. The ability of L. plantarum to produce both bacteriocins and biosurfactants makes it a highly promising microorganism for the development of new antimicrobial strategies. As a fermentative bacterium, it shows strong potential for use in developing precision probiotics against Candida infections.