The Antifungal Effect of <i>Weissella confusa</i> WIKIM51 (Wilac D001) on Vaginal Epithelial Cells Infected by <i>Candida albicans</i>

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a genital infection caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans). Weissella confusa WIKIM51 (Wilac D001) is known to be detected in dandelion kimchi, produce lactic acid, and have an anti-inflammatory ability; however, its diverse antifungal effects have not been studied. Here, we investigated the antifungal effect of Wilac D001 in C. albicans compared to Lactobacillus species on vaginal epithelial cells (VECs). To test the antifungal ability of Wilac D001 against C. albicans on VECs, an adhesion test, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8) analysis, and a disk diffusion test were performed. The acid tolerance test was conducted to investigate the viability of Wilac D001 in various acidic conditions. Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and L. rhamnosus were used as positive controls. Wilac D001 showed the capacity to inhibit the colonization of C. albicans by adhering to VECs, with an inhibitory effect similar to that of positive controls. Both pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were significantly decreased when Wilac D001 was treated on C. albicans-infected VECs, respectively (p < 0.001). The result of the disk diffusion test indicates that the inhibitory ability of Wilac D001 is comparable to L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus on agar plates infected with C. albicans. Our results demonstrate that Weissella confusa WIKIM51 has antifungal effects against VECs infected by C. albicans.