Research of Biological properties of Pessaries with Probiotic Activity containing Lactobacillus casei

Bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis are the most common local pathologies of the female urogenital tract, which are accompanied by a decrease or complete disappearance of lactobacilli against the ba ckground of the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Effective treatment and prevention of dysbiotic disorders can be achieved by the use of medications containing lactobacilli strains in the form of intravaginal dosage forms, such as pessaries. Microbial strains used as active pharmaceutical ingredients for the development of such drugs must possess certain physicochemical and microbiological properties. The objective of this study is to study the microbiological properties of Lactobacillus casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity, including lactic acid production, antagonistic and adhesive properties, sensitivity to antibacterial and antifungal medicines. Methods. The adhesive properties of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity were determined using the Brilis method on buccal epithelium culture. The antagonistic activity of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity was determined by the method of perpendicular strokes. The lactic acid production ability of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity was determined by the acid-base titration method. The sensitivity of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity to antibiotics and antifungal medicines was determined by the diffusion method in agar on a nutrient medium. Results. The determination of lactic acid production ability resulted in an average value of oT = 183.8 ± 1.5 indicating a high ability of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain to produce lactic acid and to lower the pH in the vaginal environment. The investigation of adhesive properties indicates that L. casei IMV B-7280 strain is highly adhesive, which allows for a high degree of adhesion when intravaginal pessaries are administered. The results of the antagonistic activity study of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity indicate moderate antagonistic activity against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. The highest antagonism of the tested probiotic strain is observed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 test-culture, while the lowest is observed to Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 test- strain. It was found that L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity is resistant to vancomycin, oxacillin, linezolid, nystatin, furazolidone, and imidazole derivatives. This strain is sensitive to penicillin (except oxacillin), macrolides, lincomycins, cefoperazone, pefloxacin, and imipenem. It is moderately sensitive to cephalosporins (cefazolin and ceftriaxone) and fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin). Conclusions. Microbiological studies of the adhesive properties, antagonistic activity, lactic acid production ability, and sensitivity to antibacterial and antifungal medicines of L. casei IMV B-7280 strain in the composition of pessaries with probiotic activity demonstrate compliance with the requirements for microbial strains used to develop medications with probiotic activity. The developed medication can be used in the complex treatment of vaginal dysbiosis, which improves therapy and promotes faster and better achievement of the clinical effect.