Anti-Biofilm Properties of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </i>CNCM I-3856 and <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus </i>ATCC 53103 Probiotics against <i>G. vaginalis</i>

• Main Authors: Samuele Sabbatini, Claudia Monari, Nathalie Ballet, Amélie Cayzeele Decherf, Silvia Bozza, Barbara Camilloni, Stefano Perito, Anna Vecchiarelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: probiotics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; biofilm; Gardnerella vaginalis; bacterial vaginosis; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/9/1294

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by the presence of a polymicrobial biofilm where <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> plays a key role. Previously, we demonstrated that <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> CNCM (French National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms) I-3856 is helpful in resolving experimental simulated BV in mice. In this study, we analyzed its capacity to affect <i>G. vaginalis </i>biofilms and to potentiate the activity of standard antimicrobial agents. We also investigated the anti-biofilm activity of <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus </i>GG (ATCC 53103), a well-known strain for its intestinal healthy benefits. Biofilm biomass was assessed by crystal violet staining, and <i>G. vaginalis</i> viability was assessed by a colony forming unit (CFU) assay. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated that <i>S. cerevisiae</i> CNCM I-3856 as well as <i>L. rhamnosus</i> GG were able i) to significantly inhibit <i>G. vaginalis</i> biofilm formation, ii) to markedly reduce <i>G. vaginalis</i> viability among the biomass constituting the biofilm, iii) to induce disaggregation of preformed biofilm, and iv) to kill a consistent amount of bacterial cells in a <i>G. vaginalis</i> preformed biofilm. Furthermore,<i> S. cerevisiae</i> CNCM I-3856 strongly potentiates the metronidazole effect on <i>G. vaginalis</i> biofilm viability. These results suggest that <i>S. cerevisiae</i> CNCM I-3856 as well as <i>L. rhamnosus</i> GG could be potential novel therapeutic agents against bacterial vaginosis.