Causes: Invasive candidiasis:
Invasive candidiasis may result when a person’s
own Candida organisms, normally found in the digestive
tract, enter the bloodstream. On rare occasions, it can also occur
when medical equipment or devices become contaminated with Candida.
In either case, the infection may spread throughout the body.
(Source: excerpt from Invasive Candidiasis: DBMD)
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Invasive candidiasis may be found in:
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Most cases of Candida infection result from C. albicans. Other infective strains include C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, and C. guillermondii. These fungi are part of the normal flora of the GI tract, mouth, vagina, and skin. They cause infection when some change in the body (rising glucose levels from diabetes mellitus; lowered resistance from an immunosuppressive drug, radiation, aging, or a disease, such as cancer or human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection) permits their sudden proliferation or when they're introduced systemically by I.V. or urinary cath-eters, drug abuse, hyperalimentation, or surgery. However, the most common predisposing factor remains the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which decrease the number of normal flora and permit an increasing number of candidal organisms to proliferate. The of a mother with vaginal candidiasis can contract oral thrush while passing through the birth canal. Thrush is also found in many infants who are breast-fed. The incidence of candidiasis is rising because of wider use of I.V. therapy and a greater number of immunocompromised patients, especially those with HIV infection.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
No characteristic immunologic defects have been identified in this infection, but many patients have a diminished response to various antigens or to Candida alone. In some patients, anergy may result from deficient migration inhibition factor, a mediator normally produced by lymphocytes.
Candida species infections are the most common causes of fungal infections among patients who are immunocompromised. About 3 of every 4 females have at least one bout of vulvovaginal candidiasis during their lifetimes. In individuals who are HIV-positive, more than 90% experience oropharyngeal candidiasis and 10% have at least one episode of esophageal candidiasis.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Most cases of Candida infection result from C. albicans. Other infective strains include C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. guilliermondii.
Although these fungi are part of the normal flora of the GI tract, mouth, vagina, and skin, they can cause infection when a change in the body permits their sudden proliferation —rising blood glucose levels from diabetes mellitus; lowered resistance from a disease (such as cancer), an immunosuppressant, radiation, aging, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; or when they’re introduced systemically through I.V. or urinary catheter use, drug abuse, hyperalimentation, or surgery.
However, the most common predisposing factor remains the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which decrease the number of normal flora and permit an increasing number of candidal organisms to proliferate. The infant of a mother with vaginal candidiasis can contract oral thrush while passing through the birth canal.
The incidence of candidiasis is rising because I.V. therapy is more widely used and because there are more immunocompromised patients, especially those with HIV infection.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Surgery, central venous catheters, neonates, total parenteral nutrition, transplant recipients, malignancy, neutropenia, and burn patients
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
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