Candidiasis

Question 1

Define Candidiasis?

Answer 1

Infection caused by Candida

Question 2

What is the aetiology of Candidiasis?

Answer 2

Caused by 15 different Candida Species

Candida Albicans is the MOST COMMON cause of Candidiasis in humans

Question 3

What are the main types of Candidiasis?

Answer 3

Oral Candidiasis
Oesophageal Candidiasis
Candidal Vulvovaginitis 
Candidal Skin Infections
Invasive Candidal Infections

Question 4

What are the risk factors for Candidiasis?

Answer 4

Broad-spectrum antibiotics 
Immunocompromise (e.g. HIV, corticosteroids)
Central Venous Lines
Cushing's Disease
Diabetes Mellitus 
GI tract surgery

Question 5

What is the epidemiology of Candidiasis?

Answer 5

60% of the healthy adult population are carriers
Candidiasis occurs in over 80% of people with HIV
Candida is one of the most common causes of invasive fungal infections in the Western World

Question 6

What are the presenting symptoms and signs of Oral Candidiasis?

Answer 6

Oral thrush (pseudomembranous oral Candidiasis) 
There are lots of subtypes of oral Candidiasis with slightly different feature but the main features are: redness of the tongue and mouth, white plaques

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Oral Thrush?

Answer 7

Pseudomembranous oral Candidiasis
Curd-like white patches in the mouth, which can be removed easily revealing an underlying red base
Most common in neonates

Question 8

What are the presenting symptoms and signs of Oesophageal Candidiasis?

Answer 8

Dysphagia
Pain on swallowing food or fluids
It is an AIDS-defining illness

Question 9

What are the presenting symptoms and signs of Candidal Skin Infections?

Answer 9

Soreness and itching
Skin appearance can be variable
Red, moist skin area with ragged, peeling edge and possible papules and pustules