Abstract
Yeasts can adapt to a wide range of pH fluctuations (2 to 10), while Helicobacter pylori, a facultative intracellular bacterium, can adapt to a range from pH 6 to 8. This work analyzed if H. pylori J99 can protect itself from acidic pH by entering into Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Growth curves were determined for H. pylori and C. albicans at pH 3, 4, and 7. Both microorganisms were co-incubated at the same pH values, and the presence of intra-yeast bacteria was evaluated. Intra-yeast bacteria-like bodies were detected using wet mounting, and intra-yeast binding of anti-H. pylori antibodies was detected using immunofluorescence. The presence of the H. pylori rDNA 16S gene in total DNA from yeasts was demonstrated after PCR amplification. H. pylori showed larger death percentages at pH 3 and 4 than at pH 7. On the contrary, the viability of the yeast was not affected by any of the pHs evaluated. H. pylori entered into C. albicans at all the pH values assayed but to a greater extent at unfavorable pH values (pH 3 or 4, p = 0.014 and p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, it is possible to suggest that H. pylori can shelter itself within C. albicans under unfavorable pH conditions.
Highlights
There is evidence showing that certain bacteria can become permanent or transitory endosymbionts of eukaryotic cells
This assay allowed us to determine the viability of H. pylori and C. albicans exposed to different pH values
When exposed to pH 4, a gradual decrease in the bacterial counts was observed until 4 h; the counts remained unchanged until 5 h, which was significantly different to the control
Summary
There is evidence showing that certain bacteria can become permanent or transitory endosymbionts of eukaryotic cells. This condition may have been acquired during evolution in order to serve as a specialized niche in which bacteria are protected from environmental stress and their transmission to a new host is facilitated [1,2,3]. Candida is considered to be a genus of opportunistic pathogenic yeasts causing infection in immunocompromised individuals or in those with an altered health status, such as individuals with diabetes [11]. These yeasts can cause infections in healthy individuals, such as women of fertile
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