It is the fourth leading cause for isolated positive blood cultures in U.S. hospitals. The growing list of resistant pathogens, nosocomial transmission and lack of an effective antifungal drug with a lower toxicity, are the potential problems associated with systemic fungal diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that Candida infections may be transmitted from patient to patient and from health care provider to patients. Candida Infections Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that reproduce both in sexual and asexual fusion. They have also been called molds, yeast and mushrooms.
Candidas are part of the normal flora of gastrointestinal tract, vagina and oral cavity of human.
Fungi have hydrolytic enzymes that damage membrane structure and results in tissue invasion. Major risk factors for Candida infections are listed in Table 1. In addition to systemic involvement, Candida may result in superficial and locally invasive infections. The superficial infections are associated with alterations in hydration and acidity of skin, oropharynx, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal mucosa and other superficial tissues. Locally invasive forms of Candidiasis include esophagitis, pneumonitis, cystitis and pyelonephritis.