The role of Lactobacillus species in the control of Candida via biotrophic interactions.

Microbial communities have an important role in health and disease. spp. are ubiquitous commensals and sometimes opportunistic fungal pathogens of humans, colonizing mucosal surfaces of the genital, urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and the oral cavity. They mainly cause local mucosal infections in immune competent individuals. However, in the case of an ineffective immune defense, infections may become a serious threat. spp. are part of the human microbiome and are natural competitors of in the vaginal environment. Lactic acid, low pH and other secreted metabolites are environmental signals sensed by fungal species present in the microbiome. This review briefly discusses the ternary interaction between host, species and with regard to fungal infections and the potential antifungal and fungistatic effect of species. Our understanding of these interactions is incomplete due to the variability of the involved species and isolates and the complexity of the human host.