Candida infection

Question 1

candidiasis

Answer 1

Candidiasis is caused by the yeast Candida albicans and other

Candida species, normally fund in the flora of the skin, mouth, vagina and intestines.

Various manifestations depending on the site and degree of immune-incompetence of the patient

Question 2

Oral candidiasis (thrush)

Answer 2

presents as raised, white plaques on the oral mucosa, tongue or gums

Plaques become confluent and ulcerated and spread to the throat

Question 3

Vagina candidiasis

Answer 3

Itching, burning pain of the vulva and vagina, accompanied by a white discharge

Question 4

Patient Risk Factors

Answer 4

• HIV patients (full blown AIDS when spread to throat)
• Immunodeficient e.g. after chemotherapy or on immunosuppressing medication
• On wide spectrum antibiotics

Question 5

candida albicans is

Answer 5

dimorphic and a normal part of gut flora

Question 6

Patient symptoms

Answer 6

Itching and soreness around vagina

Vaginal discharge

Pain during sex

Stinging sensation when peeing

Question 7

Mechanism of infection

Answer 7

After broad spectrum antibiotics competing bacterial flora (e.g. Lactobacillus in the vagina) will be depleted, Candida outcompetes remaining bacteria

Question 8

antibiotic treatment of thrush

Answer 8

Fluconazole (oral)

Clotrimazole

Nystatin (antifungal mouthwash you can swish in your mouth)

Question 9

nystatin

Answer 9

antifungal mouthwash you can swish in your mouth

Question 10

Outcome of infection

Answer 10

• Resolution
• Recurrent infections
• Most frequent cause of fungal severe sepsis