Candida is related to opportunistic pathogens, their virulence for humans varies widely, and the ability to pathogenic action depends on the microorganism and especially the state of cellular immunity.

On the mucous membranes of the digestive tract we may see Candida as representatives of normal microflora and, in particular, they are sown from the mouth of almost 14–50% of healthy individuals. On the way of their active proliferation and the development of the pathological process are factors of antimicrobial resistance, one of which is the symbionts of mucous membranes – Lactobacilli.

The aim of the work was to study the ability of Candida to colonize the gastro - intestinal tract (GIT) and cause candidamycosis by inoculation a healthy body and to study the effect of Lactobacilli on the rate of elimination of Candida from the gastrointestinal tract.

Materials and methods. For the experiment 20 male rats weighing 180–200 g were selected, from their feces Candida was not sown. The rats received a daily ration of food for 4 days and 1 ml of fresh suspension of fungi of the genus Candida. 10 rats (I group) received museum strain C. albicans ATCC 885-655, the remaining 10 (II group) – a clinical strain of C. albicans, resistant to azole drugs group.

In this experiment the ability of Candida species fungi to cause candidiasis in the gastrointestinal tract of rats was determined, and the duration of their elimination taking into account the antagonistic properties of lactobacilli (in vivo and in vitro). Аntagonistic properties were studied by the method of deferred antagonism. The absence of fungal growth around the strips of Lactobacilli indicates the presence of antagonistic properties. The elimination of Candida species fungi of rats with L. аcidophilus discontinued within 7th–9th days after inoculation. The animals, in the feces of which L. fermentum was found had elimination period of Candida species fungi up to 9–12 days having L. brevis up to 2 weeks and more. Accordingly the areas of growth retardation of Candida indicator crops in experiments in vitro L. acidophilus showed the greatest antagonistic activity – 36,0±0,82 mm, L. fermentum – 10,0±1,83 mm, L. brevis have not affected Candida growth retardation.

We found that the proliferation of fungi was observed only during the first 3–4 days after inoculation and was 106–103 CFU/g. Two weeks after the infestation of rats with Candida it was not found in the feces of 6 rats from group I (60%) and 8 rats from group II (80%).

Speaking about the rats involved in our experiment, no violations of the function of digestive tract were detected, the weight was not reduced, the behavior has not changed, there were no deaths. Thus, the study showed that in a healthy body and with no adverse factors (antibiotics, immunosuppression, poor nutrition …) the candidiasis does not develop. Conclusions. It was established that Candida species fungi are able to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of rats after inoculation of a healthy body, but the candidamycosis does not develop. With lactobacilli that inhibit the growth of fungi of the genus Candida, and without adverse factors the Candida elimination from the gastrointestinal tract is observed within two weeks. If there are not any antagonistic properties the lactobacilli keep discharging fungi in concentration of 102–103 CFU/g.

Given the results of the studies to prevent Candida infections it is recommended, if necessary, to use drugs containing Lactobacilli.

Keywords: Candida species fungi, Lactobacillus, gastro-intestinal tract

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