Clinical Manifestations of Candidiasis: Beyond Candida albicans

Abstract

Fungal infections, including the Candida, species, are increasingly becoming problematic over the last two decades particularly in immunocompromised individuals. While there are over 150 different species only a few are pathogenic. The Candida species can evade the immune system and become pathogenic by a variety of factors including morphology, escaping phagocytosis, expression of adhesins and invasins, biofilm production due to contact sensing and thigmotropism, inhibition of the cytokine, interleukin 17, and production by the host. Candida infections produce both non-life, and life threatening manifestations and certain risk factors make infections more likely. Clinical manifestations include oral, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous candidiasis. Diagnosis of candidiasis can be problematic, however antigen testing, agar growth, and microscopic examination are available. Treatment of candidiasis rely on three principal antifungal agents; azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. These three drug classes have specific drug target.