Candida
From Ganfyd
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| - | + | [[Image:Candida.jpg|right|thumb|Candida in a cervical cytology preparation.]] | |
| - | One of the common types of [[yeasts|yeast]] that affects humans. | + | One of the common types of [[yeasts|yeast]] that affects humans. ''Candida albicans'' is the usual species, but increasingly there are more resistant forms being seen under pressure from [[antifungals]] use, e.g. C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis. |
Candida sp. are commensal organisms in the human gastrointestinal tract. | Candida sp. are commensal organisms in the human gastrointestinal tract. | ||
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
| - | C albicans forms distinctive white colonies on agar. By microscopy | + | C. albicans forms distinctive white colonies on agar. By microscopy, [[Gram staining|Gram-positive]] budding cells typical of yeasts, but may also form hyphae. |
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
| - | Local disease | + | Local disease e.g. nappy rash can be treated topically with [[nystatin]] or [[miconazole]]. |
Invasive disease: | Invasive disease: | ||
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Combinations of amphotericin with other agents is likely to produce synergy. | Combinations of amphotericin with other agents is likely to produce synergy. | ||
| - | [[category:yeasts]][[category:fungi]] | + | {{stub}} |
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| + | [[category:yeasts]] | ||
| + | [[category:fungi]] | ||
Current revision
One of the common types of yeast that affects humans. Candida albicans is the usual species, but increasingly there are more resistant forms being seen under pressure from antifungals use, e.g. C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis.
Candida sp. are commensal organisms in the human gastrointestinal tract.
Candidal infections
- Oral candidiasis
- Oesophageal candidiasis - NB: this is AIDS-defining
- Candidaemia (based upon isolation of Candida sp. on blood cultures)
- Vulvo-vaginal candidiasis
- Candida endophthalmitis
Risk factors for non-invasive Candidal infections include diabetes and antibiotic use. Candidaemia can be associated with indwelling intravascular catheters.
Diagnosis
C. albicans forms distinctive white colonies on agar. By microscopy, Gram-positive budding cells typical of yeasts, but may also form hyphae.
Treatment
Local disease e.g. nappy rash can be treated topically with nystatin or miconazole.
Invasive disease:
- Amphotericin is effective
- Fluconazole is just as effective as amphotericin with less side effects (but some species resistant)
- Voriconazole is effective against resistant species where fluconazole is ineffective
- Caspofungin is at least as effective as amphotericin, with less side effects. The trial of anidulafungin had the lowest reported mortality of any of the therapeutic trials.
Combinations of amphotericin with other agents is likely to produce synergy.
This article is a stub. Please feel free to expand it and make it more encyclopaedic.
