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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects approximately 30–50% of women at least once during their lifetime, causing uncomfortable symptoms and limitations in their daily quality of life. Antifungal therapy is not very effective, does not prevent recurrencies and usually causes side effects. Therefore, alternative therapies are urgently needed. The goal of this work was to investigate the potential benefits of using mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) extracts together with a Lactobacillus sp. pool, composed by the most significant species present in the vaginal environment, to prevent infections by Candida albicans. Microbial growth of isolated strains of the main vaginal lactobacilli and Candida strains was assessed in the presence of MOS, to screen their impact upon growth. A pool of the lactobacilli was then tested against C. albicans in competition and prophylaxis studies; bacterial and yeast cell numbers were quantified in specific time points, and the above-mentioned studies were assessed in simulated vaginal fluid (SVF). Finally, adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells (HeLa) was also evaluated, once again resorting to simultaneous exposure (competition) or prophylaxis assays, aiming to measure the effect of MOS presence in pathogen adherence. Results demonstrated that MOS extracts have potential to prevent vaginal candidiasis in synergy with vaginal lactobacilli, with improved results than those obtained when using lactobacilli alone. Key points: Potential benefits of MOS extracts with vaginal lactobacilli to prevent C. albicans infections. MOS impacts on growth of vaginal lactobacilli pool and C. albicans in SVF. MOS extracts in synergy with L. crispatus inhibit C. albicans adhesion in HeLa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on the survival and growth of Astacus leptodactylus juveniles were evaluated. Experimental diets were prepared by using supplementation of 0 (Control), 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g MOS kg commercial trout larvae diet containing 43 g kg protein and 15.74 g kg lipid. A. leptodactylus juvenile with an average total length of 3.6 ± 0.46 cm (TL) and average weight of 1.25 ± 0.43 g was stocked in 0.2-m aquariums at a rate of 50 crayfish/m and reared for 60 days at 22.8°C. The experiment consisted of four treatments with three replicates each. Each aquarium contained ten crayfish. Crayfish juvenile fed with 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 MOS attained 6.15 ± 0.49, 5.94 ± 0.29, 7.34 ± 0.39, and 5.94 ± 0.27 cm final total length and 50, 56.67, 46.67, and 50% survival rates, respectively. Moreover, molting frequencies in 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g kg MOS groups were detected as 44.44, 61.11, 83.33, and 38.88%, respectively. At the end of the experiment, a general enhanced growth performance ( P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio were observed in crayfish fed on the diet containing 3.0 g kg. Crayfish juveniles fed with 3.0 g kg MOS had the highest final length (7.34 ± 0.39 cm), although their survival was the lowest (46.67%) compared to other treatments but not significant. Specific growth rates were significantly different ( P < 0.05) among the treatment groups at the end of the 60-day experiment. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in percentage moisture, protein, and ash (wet-weight basis) in the tail meat of A. leptodactylus juvenile among treatments (diet) that averaged 82.3, 16.1, and 1.2%, respectively. However, lipid value was significantly different among the diets P < 0.05), with values between 0.13 and 0.32. From the current results, it could be advised to use MOS at the rate of 3.0 g kg in A. leptodactylus juvenile diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]