1. OPPORTUNISTIC MYCOSES
@ Fail to induce disease in most normal
persons but may do so in those with
impaired host defenses (AIDS).
@ They include:
# Candida
# Cryptococcus
# Aspergillus
# Mucor and Rhizopus

3. CANDIDA @ C. albicans causes thrush, vaginitis,
and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.
Properties:
@ C albicans is an oval yeast-like fungus
with a single bud
@ Part of normal flora of URT, GIT and
female genital tracts.

5. @ In tissues appears as yeasts or as
pseudohyphae-not true hyphae.
@ Sugar fermentation differentiate it
from C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and
C. glabrata.
Transmission :
@ As a member of normal flora, it is not
transmitted.

7. Diseases:
@ C. albicans produces:
* Mouth : white patches (thrush).
* Vulva and vagina: itching & vaginal
discharge, favored by high pH,
diabetes, or antibiotics.
* Fingers & nails: causes paronychia
* Drug abusers: causes endocarditis

9. Laboratory Diagnosis:
@ In exudates or tissues, budding and
pseudohyphae are seen microscopically.
@ Such specimens grow yeast cells
when cultured on Sabouraud's medium
@ Germ tubes form in serum at 37ºC,
distinguish C. albicans from most other
Candida species .

11. @ Chlamydospores are formed by
C. albicans only .
@ Serologic testing is rarely helpful.
@ Skin tests are positive in normal adults
& used as an indicator of good cellular
immunity.
@ A person who does not respond to
Candida antigens in skin test has
deficient cell-mediated immunity.

13. Treatment & Prevention:
@ Candida infections are treated by
fluconazole, nystatin, or ketoconazole,
@ Amphotericin B is given for severe
Candida infections
@ Thrush is prevented by nystatin .
@ There is no vaccine.