Candida

Question 1

Is candidiasis an opportunistic infection?

Answer 1

Yes and No. It does require an immune defect but it does not require full-on immune suppression.

Question 2

What is the main disease causing species of Candida?

Answer 2

Candida albicans ( ~1/2 of all candidemia)

Question 3

What is the disease causing phase of Candida yeast?

Answer 3

The hyphal phase. Hyphae attach to ECM, secrete tissue degrading enzymes and invade surrounding tissue.

Question 4

What does Thrush (oral candidiasis) suggest?

Answer 4

Severe immune compromise (HIV, chemotherapy).

Question 5

What does Vaginal pruritis, pain, and a “thin-to-curd-like” discharge suggest?

Answer 5

Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis.

Question 6

What do painful macro-nodular lesions throughout the body suggest?

Answer 6

disseminated candidiasis (hematogenous spread)

Question 7

Tx considerations for C. glabrata and C. krusei?

Answer 7

They are less sensitive to fluconazole. Use echinocandin (micafungin)

Question 8

Tx considerations for C. parapsilosis?

Answer 8

Less sensitive to echinocandin

Question 9

Tx considerations for C. lusitaniae?

Answer 9

Resistant to Amphotericin B

Question 10

What is C. tropicalis?

Answer 10

It is a more virulent form of Candida.