Candidia albicans is the most common causative agent. This yeast like fungus is normally found on the mucous membrane, skin, in the gastro intestinal tract and in the vagina. Under certain circumstances, it changes from a commensal organism to a pathogen. More widespread and systemic infections may occur in immune compromised individuals with the oesophagus most commonly affected
Types
Paronychia – Inflammatory bogy swelling of posterior and lateral nail folds of digits of fingers. Commonly seen in house wives, maidservants, due to continuous wet job
Intertriginous type –well defined peeling border around moist red macerated lesions and surrounded by satellite papules or pustules occur in body such as groin, inframammary, axillary, perianal and interdigital areas
Oral Thrush – It present as curdy, white, easily detachable deposits on tongue or oral mucosa with underlying bright red and moist surface. It is also known as acute pseudomembranous candidiasis and is the most common form of candidiasis
Perleche – sore angles of mouth
Vulvovaginitis - frequently associated with itching and vaginal discharge. Vaginal mucosa shows erythema, Oedema and curdy white deposits. Candidial balanoposthitis occurs as a counter part in males
Differential diagnosis
Tinea cruris
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Flexural psoriasis
Bacterial intertrigo
Investigation
KOH preparation – reveal budding yeasts with or without hyphae or pseudohyphae
Gram stained smear gram positive organisms longer than bacteria
Confirmed by culture on Sabouraud’s media- whitish mucoid colonies grow within 2 to 5 days
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