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Candidiasis
(moniliasis) is skin infection with Candida sp,
most commonly Candida albicans. Infections
can occur anywhere and are most common in skinfolds and web spaces,
on the genitals, cuticles, and oral mucosa. Symptoms and signs vary
by site. Diagnosis is by clinical appearance and potassium hydroxide
wet mount of skin scrapings. Treatment is with drying agents and
antifungals.
Most candidal infections are of the skin and mucous membranes, but invasive candidiasis is common in immunosuppressed patients and can be life threatening. Systemic candidiasis is discussed in Fungi.
Etiology
Candida is a group of about 150 yeast species. C. albicans is responsible for about 70 to 80% of all candidal infections. Other significant species include C. glabrata, C.
tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. dubliniensis.
Candida is a ubiquitous yeast that resides harmlessly on skin and mucous membranes until dampness, heat, and impaired local and systemic defenses provide a fertile environment for it to grow. Risk factors for candidiasis include:
Candidiasis occurs most commonly in intertriginous areas such as the axillae, groin, and gluteal folds (eg, diaper rash), in digital web spaces, in the glans penis, and beneath the breasts. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is common in women (see Vaginitis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Vaginitis). Candidal nail infections and paronychia may develop after improperly done manicures and in kitchen workers and others whose hands are continually exposed to water (see Nail Disorders: Onychomycosis). In obese people, candidal infections may occur beneath the pannus (abdominal fold). Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a common sign of local or systemic immunosuppression.
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis typically affects the nails, skin, and oropharynx. Patients have cutaneous anergy to Candida, absent proliferative responses to Candida antigen (but normal proliferative responses to mitogens), and an intact antibody response to Candida and other antigens. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis may occur as an autosomal recessive illness associated with hypoparathyroidism and Addison's disease (Candida-endocrinopathy syndrome).
Symptoms and Signs
Intertriginous infections manifest as pruritic, well-demarcated, erythematous patches of varying size and shape; erythema may be difficult to detect in darker-skinned patients. Primary patches may have adjacent satellite papules and pustules. Perianal candidiasis produces white maceration and pruritus ani. Vulvovaginal candidiasis causes pruritus and discharge (see Vaginitis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Candidal Vaginitis).
Candidal infection is a frequent cause of chronic paronychia, which manifests as painful red periungual swelling. Subungual infections are characterized by distal separation of one or several fingernails (onycholysis), with white or yellow discoloration of the subungual area (see Nail Disorders: Paronychia).
Oropharyngeal candidiasis causes white plaques on oral mucous membranes that may bleed when scraped.
Perlèche is candidiasis at the corners of the mouth, which causes cracks and tiny fissures. It may stem from chronic lip licking, thumb sucking, ill-fitting dentures, or other conditions that make the corners of the mouth moist enough that yeast can grow.
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is characterized by red, pustular, crusted, and thickened plaques resembling psoriasis, especially on the nose and forehead, and is invariably associated with chronic oral candidiasis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and identification of yeast and pseudohyphae in potassium hydroxide wet mounts of scrapings from a lesion. Positive culture is usually meaningless because Candida is omnipresent.
Treatment
Intertriginous infection is treated with drying agents as needed (eg, Burow's solution for oozing lesions, gentian violet for toe web spaces) and topical antifungals (see Table 1: Fungal Skin Infections: Options for Treatment of Superficial Fungal Infections* ). Powdered formulations are ideal for dry lesions (eg, miconazole powder bid for 2 to 3 wk). Fluconazole 150 mg po once/wk for 2 to 4 wk is indicated for extensive intertriginous candidiasis; topical antifungal agents may be used at the same time.
Candidal diaper rash is treated with more frequent change of diapers, avoidance of disposable diapers with plastic coverings, and an imidazole cream bid. Oral nystatin is an option for infants with coexisting oropharyngeal candidiasis; 1 mL of suspension (100,000 units/mL) is placed in each buccal pouch qid.
Candidal paronychia is treated by protecting the area from wetness and giving topical or oral antifungals. These infections are often resistant to treatment.
Oral candidiasis is treated with fluconazole 200 mg po on the first day, then 100 mg po once/day for 2 to 3 wk thereafter.
Chronic mucocutaneous
candidiasis requires long-term oral antifungal treatment with ketoconazole 400 mg once/day or itraconazole 200 mg once/day.
Last full review/revision August 2008 by A. Damian Dhar, MD, JD
Content last modified August 2008
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