Candidasis is the most common fungal disease in human affecting the skin, mucosa and internal organs caused by Candida, a yeast yeast like fungus that produces pseudohypae. Caused by candida albicans most commonly. Candida normally lives on skin and inside the body, such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing problems.

1. CANDIDIASIS
Microbiology
By Aishwarya Ray,8

2. CONTENT
� Definition
� Mode of transmission
� Symptoms
� Pathogenesis
� Clinical Manifestation
� morphology
� Laboratory diagnosis
� Treatment
� Prevention

3. DEFINITION
� Candidasis is the most common fungal disease in human
affecting the skin, mucosa and internal organs caused by
Candida, a yeast yeast like fungus that produces
pseudohypae.
� Various species include:
Candida Albicans
C.tropicalis
C. glabrata
C. Krusei
C. Para
C.auris

4. MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Nosocomial Transmission
Sexual Transmission
Mother to infant Transmission

6. PATHOGENESIS
These virulence factors include:
Adhesins
Enzymes
Pseudohyphae
Based on these virulence factors and the site of colonization of the fungal
agent, candida infections (candidiasis) can be classified as follows:
Mucosal Candidiasis
Cutaneous candidiasis
Systemic candidiasis
Antibiotic candidiasis

8. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Invasive candidiasis Allergic candidiasis
Mucosal candidiasis Cutaneous candidiasis

9. MORPHOLOGY
Candida albicans
Candida auris

10. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
� Specimen collection
� Electron microscopy
� Culture
� Tests for species identification:
� Germ tube test
� It is also called Reynolds braude phenomenon.
� Dalmatau plate culture
� CHROMagar
� Carbohydrate fermentation test and carbohdrate
assimilation test
� Automated systems
� Molecular methods such as PCR

11. � Immunodiagnosis:
� Antibody detection
� Antigen detection
� Enzyme detection
� Tests for metabolites
� Beta d glucan assay

12. TREATMENT
� The antifungal drugs recommended depends
upon the type of candidiasis. ‰
� Cutaneous candidiasis or oral thrush: the drug of
choice is topical azole. ‰
� Esophageal and vulvovaginal candidiasis: the
drug of choice is oral fluconazole or caspofungin.
� Disseminated candidiasis: the drug of choice is
liposomal amphotericin B or caspofungin or
voriconazole.

13. PREVENTION
� Maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the
overgrowth of Candida albicans.
� Good hygienic practices such as brushing teeth
� Proper nutrition
� Careful use of antibiotics