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Candida spp. Overview and Candidiasis Guide

Candida spp. are a common cause of opportunistic infections worldwide. The most commonly isolated Candida species that cause infection are C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata. Candida infections can range from superficial infections of the skin, mouth, and vagina to life-threatening systemic infections of organs. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of samples to identify yeast and pseudohyphal forms, culture on selective media, and serological tests. Treatment depends on the site of infection but may include topical antifungals for superficial infections or systemic antifungals like fluconazole and amphotericin B for more severe infections

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128 views13 pages

Candida spp. Overview and Candidiasis Guide

Candida spp. are a common cause of opportunistic infections worldwide. The most commonly isolated Candida species that cause infection are C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata. Candida infections can range from superficial infections of the skin, mouth, and vagina to life-threatening systemic infections of organs. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of samples to identify yeast and pseudohyphal forms, culture on selective media, and serological tests. Treatment depends on the site of infection but may include topical antifungals for superficial infections or systemic antifungals like fluconazole and amphotericin B for more severe infections

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jeevan ghimire
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Candida spp.

Dr. Mahesh Adhikari


OPPORTUNISTIC MYCOSES
• Candidiasis
• Cryptococcosis
• Aspergillosis
• Zygomycosis
• Other: Trichosporonosis, fusariosis,
penicillosis……
CANDIDIASIS
• Most commonly encountered
opportunistic mycoses worldwide

• Endogenous infection
MOST COMMONLY ISOLATED
CANDIDA SPECIES
C. albicans
C. tropicalis
C. parapsilosis
C. glabrata
C. krusei
C. guillermondii
C. dublinensis
Candida
MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES
• Microscopic appearance- Budding yeast cells
Pseudohyphae, true hyphae
• Macroscopic appearance on SDA- Creamy yeast
colonies
• Germ tube (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis)
• Chlamydospore (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis)
• Identification Germ tube, fermentation
and assimilation reactions
Candida
PATHOGENICITY
• Attachment
• Adherence to plastic surfaces (catheter,
prosthetic valve..)
• Protease
• Phospholipase
• Phenotypic switching; formation of
pseudohyphae
CANDIDIASIS
Clinical manifestations-I
1. Cutaneous and Subcutaneous
• Oral
• Vaginal
• Onychomycosis
• Dermatitis
• Diaper rash
CANDIDIASIS
Clinical manifestations-II

2. Systemic • Peritonitis
• Esophagitis • Hepatosplenic
• Pulmonary inf. • Endophthalmitis
• Cystitis
• Arthritis
• Pyelonephritis
• Endocarditis
• Osteomyelitis
• Myocarditis • Meningitis
• Skin lesions
CANDIDIASIS
Diagnosis
• Direct microscopic examination
Yeast cells, pseudohyphae
Germ tube test
• Culture
SDA
• Serology
Detection of antigen
(ELISA, RIA, IF, latex agglutination)
Germ-tube test
• Put 0.5 ml of human
serum in a 10 x 75 mm
tube.
• Make a light suspension of
the suspect yeast colonies
by touching 1-2 large
colonies with a sterile
straight wire and then
inoculating the serum.
Germ-tube test
• Incubate the tube for 2-3 : Positive
Germ-tube
test : Negative
hours in a 35 - 37°C (C. albicans)

incubator.
Germ-tube test
Germ-tube
• Place a drop of the suspension on a Germ-tube test :
slide using a pipette and coverslip. test : Negative
Positive
• Examine the wet mount (C. albicans)
microscopically for production of
germ tubes (long tube-like
projections extending out from the
C. glabrata
yeast cells).
No
constriction

Note: Too large of an inoculum will inhibit germ tube formation.


Warning: Do not over-incubate the tube. Candida tropicalis may
produce pseudo-germ tubes after 3 hours of incubation.
CANDIDIASIS
Treatment
• Cutaneous
Topical antifungal: Ketoconazole, nystatin

• Systemic
Amphotericin B
Fluconazole,
Itraconazole
Thank You

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