Abstract This study proposes a microcosm biofilm (MiB) model for the study of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Different conditions that mimic the vaginal environment were tested for MiB formation. The best growth conditions were obtained with samples incubated in vaginal fluid simulator medium pH 4.5 at 35 °C under a microaerophilic atmosphere. MiBs were evaluated for growth kinetics, fluconazole susceptibility and morphology. Samples containing high numbers of bacteria were analyzed for metagenomics. At 48 h, MiBs presented a higher cell density (CFU ml−1), a higher biomass and tolerance to fluconazole than their corresponding monospecies biofilms. Morphological analysis of MiBs revealed blastoconidia preferentially adhered to epithelial cells. Abundant Lactobacillus spp. were detected in two clinical samples; their MiBs showed a lower biomass and a higher fluconazole susceptibility. The proposed model proved to be a useful tool for the study of the complex microbial relationship in the vaginal environment, and may help to find new strategies for VVC control.

中文翻译：

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用于研究外阴阴道念珠菌病的微观生物膜模型的建议

摘要 本研究提出了一种用于研究外阴阴道念珠菌病 (VVC) 的微观生物膜 (MiB) 模型。对模拟阴道环境的不同条件进行了 MiB 形成测试。最好的生长条件是在 35°C 下在微需氧气氛下在阴道液模拟器培养基 pH 4.5 中培养的样品获得的。对 MiB 的生长动力学、氟康唑敏感性和形态进行了评估。对含有大量细菌的样品进行宏基因组学分析。在 48 小时时，与相应的单种生物膜相比，MiB 呈现出更高的细胞密度（CFU ml-1）、更高的生物量和对氟康唑的耐受性。MiBs 的形态学分析显示胚泡优先粘附于上皮细胞。丰富的乳酸菌。在两个临床样本中检测到；他们的 MiB 显示出较低的生物量和较高的氟康唑敏感性。所提出的模型被证明是研究阴道环境中复杂微生物关系的有用工具，可能有助于找到控制 VVC 的新策略。