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Abbreviated index to disease forms that are discussed in detail
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Candida are thin-walled, small yeasts (4 to 6 microns) that reproduce by budding. Even though there are more that 150 species of Candida, no more than ten cause disease in humans with any frequency [ 1274]. Of these, Candida albicans causes almost 100% of cases of oropharyngeal candidiasis and at least 90% of cases of Candida vulvovaginitis. When Candida produce invasive candidiasis, the other species of Candida begin to be seen with increased frequency. For details on the mycological aspects of this fungi, see the general discussion of the Candida spp.
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Candida spp. can be found in soil, inanimate objects, food, and hospital environments. However, it is rare for Candida spp. to produce contamination in laboratory settings.
As discussed in detail in the section on asymptomatic colonization, Candida spp. are normal commensals of man and can be recovered from many sources in normal and ill individuals. However, Candida spp. can also produce a wide variety of infections, and distinguishing between colonization and infection can sometimes be a challenge. Even though diseases related to Candida have been known for centuries, the importance of these conditions has assumed increased relevance during the last two decades.
A dramatic change in the epidemiology of infectious diseases has taken place with the advent of new chemotherapeutic agents, new immunosuppressive agents, organ transplantation, parenteral alimentation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and advanced surgical techniques. In this new scenario, fungal infections have emerged as a critical issue in the compromised host. Among these, Candida spp. are the most common fungal pathogens [269].
Candida spp. are also competing with the bacteria as one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections [168, 646]. In addition, the ability of Candida spp. to produce oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients with HIV-AIDS has made candidiasis the leading fungal infection in this immunosuppressed population [2025].
The various forms of candidiasis are the most frequent causes of fungal infection of man. Candida spp. can produce infections in both otherwise healthy individuals and in individuals with reduced immune system function.
The diagnosis of almost any form of Candida disease requires an integration of clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory findings. Clinical manifestations for each condition are described in detail in the pages listed in the previous section.
The isolation of Candida from wounds, skin, urine, sputum, or stool specimens is not diagnostic of disease. On the other hand, growth of Candida spp. from sterile specimens (e.g., blood or CSF) is almost always diagnostic of infection. A specific diagnostic approach is discussed extensively for each condition listed above.
Special resource: You may also want to refer to the Infectious Disease Society of America-Mycoses Study Group (IDSA-MSG) Practice Guidelines for this disease. It is available at the IDSA website.
A progressively larger armamentarium of antifungal agents began to emerge during the 1990's. Most of these new agents have activity against Candida spp. The particular advantage of one antifungal over the other, as well as the dosage and length of therapies for each condition are discussed in detail for each of the disease forms listed above.
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References
168. Banerjee, S. N., T. G. Emori, D. H. Culver, R. P. Gaynes, W. R. Jarvis, T. Horan, J. R. Edwards, J. Tolson, T. Henderson, W. J. Marone, and the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. 1991. Secular trends in nosocomial primary bloodstream infections in the United States, 1980-1989. Am. J. Med. 91 (Suppl. 3B):86S-89S.
269. Bodey, G. P. 1988. The emergence of fungi as major hospital pathogens. J. Hosp. Infect. 11:411-426.
646. Edmond, M. B., S. E. Wallace, D. K. McClish, M. A. Pfaller, R. N. Jones, and R. P. Wenzel. 1999. Nosocomial bloodstream infections in United States hospitals: A three-year analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 29:239-244.
1274. Kwon-Chung, K. J., and J. E. Bennett. 1992. Medical Mycology. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia.
2025. Sangeorzan, J. A., S. F. Bradley, X. He, L. T. Zarins, G. L. Ridenour, R. N. Tiballi, and C. A. Kauffman. 1994. Epidemiology of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected patients: Colonization, infection, treatment, and emergence of fluconazole resistance. Am. J. Med. 97:339-346.
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