Candidiasis

Question 1

What is another term for vaginal candidiasis?

Answer 1

Thrush

Question 2

What is candidiasis?

Answer 2

It is defined as a condition in which there is vaginal yeast infection

Question 3

Which infective agent is most commonly associated with candidiasis?

Answer 3

Candida albicans

Question 4

What are the four risk factors associated with candidiasis?

Answer 4

Immunosuppression

Diabetes Mellitus

Pregnancy

Drug Administration

Question 5

Which two drugs are associated with candidiasis?

Answer 5

Antibiotics

Corticosteroids

Question 6

What are the seven clinical features of vaginal candidiasis?

Answer 6

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Itching

Dyspareunia

Dysuria

Vulval Erythema

Vulval Fissuring

Satellite Lesions

Question 7

Describe the discharge associated with candidiasis

Answer 7

It is described as thick, white and non-offensive

“cottage cheese” apperance

Question 8

In most cases how is vaginal candidiasis diagnosed?

Answer 8

Clinically

A high vaginal swab is not routinely recommended

Question 9

What three investigations can be used to diagnose candidiasis?

Answer 9

Vaginal pH Tests

Vaginal Swab Microscopy

Vaginal Cultures

Question 10

How are vaginal pH tests used to investigate candidiasis?

Answer 10

They are used to exclude differential diagnoses, such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas

Question 11

What is the feature of candidiasis on vaginal pH tests?

Answer 11

Normal < 4.5

Question 12

What is the feature of candidiasis on vaginal swab microscopy?

Answer 12

Gram-positive fungus

Question 13

What medium is used in vaginal cultures to diagnose candidiasis?

Answer 13

Sabouraud’s

Question 14

What are the two features of candida albicans on vaginal culture?

Answer 14

Egg-Like Blastospores

Long Hyphae

Question 15

What are the three pharmacological management options of candidiasis?

Answer 15

Fluconazole

Clotrimazole

Imidazole

Question 16

When is fluconazole used to manage candidiasis?

Answer 16

It is the first line pharmacological management option of candidiasis

Question 17

How is fluconazole administered to treat candidiasis?

Answer 17

A single 150mg oral dose

Question 18

When is clotrimazole used to manage candidiasis?

Answer 18

It is the second line pharmacological management option of candidiasis – when fluconazole is contraindicated

Question 19

How is cotrimazole administered to treat candidiasis?

Answer 19

A single 500mg intravaginal pessary

Question 20

When is imidazole used to manage candidiasis?

Answer 20

When there are vulval clinical features

It should be administered in addition to oral or intravaginal antifungals

Question 21

What is the management option of candidiasis in pregnant women?

Answer 21

Clotrimazole Pessary

Question 22

What advice should be given to individuals who are adminsierted local antifungals?

Answer 22

They can damage latex condoms and prevent spermicides from working, and therefore contraceptive is required for at least five days after use

Question 23

What is recurrent candidiasis infection?

Answer 23

It is defined as > 4 episodes of candidiasis per year

Question 24

What two investigations are used to investigate recurrent candidiasis? Explain

Answer 24

High vaginal swab for microscopy/culture, in order to confirm diagnosis

HbA1c blood test, in order to exclude diabetes mellitus

Question 25

What is the management option of recurrent candidiasis?

Answer 25

Induction-maintenance pharmacological regime

Question 26

Describe the induction regimen for recurrent candidiasis

Answer 26

A prescription of three oral fluconazole doses every three days

Question 27

Describe the maintenance regimen for recurrent candidiasis

Answer 27

A prescription of oral fluconazole weekly for six months