Candidiasis
Also called candidosis and moniliasis, candidiasis is usually a mild, superficial fungal infection caused by the Candida genus. The infection usually affects the nails (onychomycosis), skin (diaper rash), or mucous membranes, especially the oropharynx (thrush), vagina (candidiasis), esophagus, and GI tract.
Rarely, these fungi enter the bloodstream and invade the kidneys, lungs, endocardium, brain, or other structures, causing serious infections. Such systemic infection is most prevalent
among drug abusers and patients already hospitalized, particularly diabetics and immunosuppressed patients. The prognosis varies, depending on the patient’s resistance.
among drug abusers and patients already hospitalized, particularly diabetics and immunosuppressed patients. The prognosis varies, depending on the patient’s resistance.
Clinical Tip: Identifying thrush
Causes
Most cases of Candida infection result from C. albicans. Other infective strains include C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. guilliermondii.
Although these fungi are part of the normal flora of the GI tract, mouth, vagina, and skin, they can cause infection when a change in the body permits their sudden proliferation—rising blood glucose levels from diabetes mellitus; lowered resistance from a disease (such as cancer), an immunosuppressant, radiation, aging, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; or when they’re introduced systemically through I.V. or urinary catheter use, drug abuse, hyperalimentation, or surgery.
However, the most common predisposing factor remains the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which decrease the number of normal flora and permit an increasing number of candidal organisms to proliferate. The infant of a mother with vaginal candidiasis can contract oral thrush while passing through the birth canal.
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