Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a fungus that is normally present on the skin and on membranes of the mouth, throat, intestines, and vagina. Candida albicans becomes an infecting agent only when there is some change in the body environment that allows the fungus to grow out of control.
Causes

The most common cause of Candida albicans may be the use of antibiotics that destroy beneficial as well as harmful microorganisms in the body and permit Candida organisms to multiply in their place. The resulting condition is known as candidiasis, candidosis, moniliasis, or a "yeast" infection. In the mouth, a yeast infection is known as thrush; on the skin, its appearance resembles that of a rash (such as diaper rash); in the vagina, it is vaginitis, moniliasis, or yeast infection; and in or next to the nails, candidal onychomycosis or paronychia, respectively. Candidal infection can also affect the esophagus (food tube) and the digestive tract. When the body's resistance is low, Candida albicans can enter the bloodstream and cause infection of vital organs.

Those at Risk

Drug addicts, people with diabetes or HIV infection, and patients receiving chemotherapy are especially at risk of developing a yeast infection. Also at risk are those whose natural defenses are weakened by drugs used to suppress the immune system (such as recipients of organ transplants and asthmatics who are taking corticosteroid drugs).

Pregnant women are often susceptible to moniliasis, and thrush may develop in babies who passed through an infected birth canal. As a result, breast-feeding mothers may also contract a yeast infection of the nipples. If left untreated, she and her infant can pass the infection back and forth. Babies may also contract a yeast infection of the diaper area because of the near-constant wetness.
Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms and treatment for the various forms of Candida infection are as follows:
  • Vaginitis is characterized by a white or yellow discharge, with inflammation of the walls of the vagina and of the vulva (external genital area). A white, curdlike substance may cling to the walls of the vagina. Treatment is with an antifungal drug, such as nystatin, which is inserted deep in the vagina, or by fluconasole, a pill taken by mouth in a single dose. The infection is often passed to the woman's sexual partner, causing irritation, redness, and soreness of the head of the penis. Recurrent Candida vaginitis or vaginitis that does not respond to treatment may indicate that another illness, such as diabetes, is present or that a different microorganism is responsible for the infection.
  • Thrush appears as creamy-white or bluish-white patches on the tongue (which is inflamed and sometimes beefy red), on the lining of the mouth, or in the throat. This is especially common in young infants. Treatment is usually with nystatin oral solution or drops
  • Diaper rash caused by Candida infection can be treated by keeping the baby as dry as possible by frequent diaper changes. An antifungal ointment may be prescribed.
  • Infections of the fingernails and toenails appear as red, painful swelling around the nail; later, pus develops. After the area has been treated with hot compresses and drainage (if necessary), and the nail has been cut back, an antifungal lotion is applied. The nail itself may be involved (appearing hard, yellow, and dull), making treatment more difficult and perhaps necessitating long-term use of oral drugs. Newer oral drugs are reserved for treatment of more severe or resistant infections.
  • Systemic infection (infection that enters the bloodstream and affects the kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, or other organs), though rare, can result in high fever, chills, anemia, and sometimes a rash or shock. Disease in the lungs can cause bloody sputum; in the kidneys, blood in the urine; in the brain, seizures; in the heart, murmurs and valve damage; and in the eye, pain and blurred vision. An antifungal medicine is usually given intravenously.
In all cases, the underlying condition that caused the outbreak of Candida infection must be removed. This may mean stopping the use of antibiotics or controlling conditions such as diabetes. The same approach is used to prevent future infections.



This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.