Potential Use of Lactobacillus gasseri G10 Isolated from Human Vagina along with Intrauterine Devices (IUD) to Prevent Pathogen Colonization

Abstract

Intrauterine devices (IUDs), well effective long-term contraception methods used around the world, are potential reservoir for pathogens and carry risk of reproductive-tract infections such as bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis. A healthy vagina is dominated by Lactobacillus involved in protecting reproductive system against pathogens. This study aims to investigate the impact of L. gasseri G10 (G10), a vaginal isolate, and its Exopolysaccharide (EPS) on adherence of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans to IUD-tail. Three conditions were simulated to examine if G10 with/without EPS is capable of displacing, excluding, and competing pathogen adhesion to IUD. Inhibitory impact of EPS at various concentrations on pathogen adherence was also evaluated with co-incubation. G10 blocked by co-incubation (97%) and displacement (46%) of S. aureus adherence to IUD tail and displaced C. albicans attached to IUD with about 99%. Compared with S. aureus, the biofilm formation by C. albicans was highly susceptible to EPS. All concentrations of EPS inhibited the adherence of C. albicans (81-97%); however, no significant reductions were observed in S. aureus adherence. Moreover, G10 and EPS together reduced the adherence of both S. aureus (>99%) and C. albicans (94-98%) through all three mechanisms. This study indicates that G10 and its EPS have the ability to inhibit adhesion of S. aureus and C. albicans to IUD and potential use in intravaginal products to prevent/manage IUD associated infections in women. The results suggest development of a new way of applying IUD along with probiotic agents alone or as synbiont.