Candidiasis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

DEFINITION: infection caused by Candida.

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

Caused by 15 different Candida species

Candida albicans is the MOST COMMON cause of candidiasis in humans

Main types of candidiasis:

• Oral candidiasis
• Oesophageal candidiasis
• Candidal vulvovaginitis
• Candidal skin infections
• Invasive candidal infections

Risk Factors

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Immunocompromise (e.g. HIV, corticosteroids)
• Central venous lines
• Cushing’s disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• GI tract surgery

Question 3

Epidemiology

Question 4

Symptoms

Answer 4

Oral Candidiasis

• Oral Thrush (pseudomembranous oral candidiasis) - curd-like white patches in the mouth, which can be removed easily revealing an underlying red base. Most common in neonates
• There are lots of subtypes of oral candidiasis with slightly different features but the main features are: redness of the tongue and mouth, white plaques

Oesophageal Candidiasis

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

Candidal Skin Infections

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

Question 5

Investigations

Answer 5

Oral Candidiasis - swabs and cultures are not particularly useful because a lot of normal people have candida in their mouth

Swabs may be relevant to check for drug-resistance

Therapeutic trials of antifungal (e.g. fluconazole) can help with diagnosis

Oesophageal Candidiasis: definitive diagnosis is by endoscopy

Invasive Candidiasis: blood cultures required if candidaemia is possible