VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS: L. CRISPATUS MAY HELP

candidosi vaginale: l. crispatus aiuta

CANDIDA: WHEN DORMANT IS HARMLESS, BUT IF IT CHANGES SHAPE, IT’S TROUBLE!

Candida is a yeast, i.e. a unicellular organism belonging to the kingdom of fungi. 

What not everyone knows is that Candida usually lives as a commensal in the gut. This means that it normally lives there dormant, without causing any damage. However, under certain circumstances, it can take advantage of opportunities or imbalances in the body to change appearance and pass from the planktonic, non-invasive form to the hyphal, invasive form.

When in the planktonic form, Candida is present as isolated cells or loose aggregates suspended in fluid or tissue.

The hyphal form, on the other hand, is characterized by the formation of filaments (called “hyphae”) which allow Candida to move to a site other than the intestine and to branch out and form a network capable of penetrating the surrounding tissues, damaging the host cells and proliferate.

The hyphal form is therefore configured as an infection and if it occurs in the vaginal environment it is called vaginal candidiasis or vaginal thrush and can manifest itself with symptoms such as:

  • Itching
  • Burnin
  • Redness
  • abnormal secretions (commonly compared to cottage cheese in color and texture)
  • pain during sexual intercourse

 

GOOD PRACTICES FOR THE PREVENTION OF VAGINAL THRUSH

As already mentioned, Candida becomes aggressive only when there are the ideal conditions to do so. These are related to different factors, including the use of antibiotics that alter the balance of the bacterial flora, a weakened immune system, excessive moisture and heat, diabetes, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives.

Candida infection must be properly diagnosed and treated to avoid complications and recurrences. In any case, there are good rules to follow to prevent vaginal thrush, as much as possible, for instance:

  1. Maintain good hygiene: Keep your genital area clean and dry. Avoid using harsh soaps, douches, or perfumed products as they can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina.
  2. Wear breathable underwear: Opt for underwear made from natural, breathable fabrics like cotton. Avoid tight-fitting pants and nylon underwear that can trap moisture and create a conducive environment for yeast overgrowth.
  3. Avoid prolonged moisture: After swimming or exercising, change out of wet or damp clothing promptly, as yeast thrives in warm, moist environments.
  4. Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use: Antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the body, including the vagina. Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional and complete the full course as directed.
  5. Maintain a balanced diet.
  6. Manage stress levels.

 
While following these practices won’t guarantee complete prevention of Candida infections, it can help maintain a healthy vaginal environment and reduce the risk of infections.

Maintaining a balance in your vaginal microbiota is another successful strategy to counteract the progression of Candida to its infectious form.

VAGINAL MICROBIOTA DOMINATED BY L. CRISPATUS: THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST CANDIDA

But, how can a balance be maintained in the vaginal microbiota and how can this help limit the occurrence of Candida infections?

As reported in the study Vaginal microbiota of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis: Are they different from normal microbiota?, women with vaginal Candida infection have a microbiota characterized by a scarcity of lactobacilli, and in particular a low presence of L. crispatus.

Other recent studies also show how Lactobacillus crispatus is to be considered one of the main natural defenders against Candida infections because it can interfere in the evolution of Candida and prevent candidiasis through various mechanisms:

  • preventing the germination of Candida spores and therefore blocking its transition to the invasive hyphal form. This, thanks also to the ability to mechanically interfere with the process of penetration of the hyphae into the upper layers of the vaginal epithelial cells, allows the vaginal Candida infection to be kept under control;
  • inhibiting the formation of Candida biofilm in the vagina, thus reducing its adhesion to the epithelium (as reported in Vaginal Lactobacillus impair Candida dimorphic switching and biofilm formation);
  • promoting the synthesis of lactic acid, which maintains a particularly acidic vaginal pH, capable of preventing the excessive growth of Candida and other pathogens;
  • producing hydrogen peroxide, with bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

 
These activities determine the ability of L. crispatus to reduce the growth of Candida in vitro with average values higher than 70%, as evidenced by the study Antimicrobial compounds produced by vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus are able to strongly inhibit Candida albicans growth, hyphal formation and regulate virulence-related gene expression.