Candidiasis: Predisposing Factors, Prevention, Diagnosis and Alternative Treatment

Abstract

SUMMARYCandidiasis is the most common opportunistic yeast infection. Candida species and other microorganisms are involved in this complicated fungal infection, but Candida albicans continues to be the most prevalent. In the past two decades, it has been observed an abnormal overgrowth in the gastrointestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts, not only in immunocompromised patients, but also related to nosocomial infections and even in healthy individuals. There is a widely variety of causal factors that contribute to yeast infection which means that candidiasis is a good example of a multifactorial syndrome. Due to rapid increase in the incidence of these infections, this is the subject of numerous studies. Recently, the focus of attention is the treatment and, above all, the prevention of those complications. The diagnosis of candidiasis could become quite complicated. Prevention is the most effective "treatment", much more than eradication of the yeast with antifungal agents. There are several aspects to consider in the daily routine that can provide a strength protection. However, a therapeutic approach is necessary when the infection is established and, therefore, other alternatives should be explored. This review provides an overview on predisposition factors, prevention and diagnosis of candidiasis, highlighting alternative approaches for candidiasis treatment.

Salivary metals, age, and gender correlate with cultivable oral Candida carriage levels

“…Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for 50–90% of oral candidiasis [20]; however, it is a commensal organism in healthy individuals. Opportunistic infections by commensal organisms are unique from other types of microbial infection, because they are caused by microbiota that is already present in the host.…”

Susceptibility testing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata to Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

“…In fact, natural matrices possess a multitude of health benefits (Faria et al, 2011;Lopes et al, 2013;Sher, 2009). Particularly, the study of the antifungal and anti-yeast properties against opportunistic fungi and yeasts, such as Candida species, is still being the focus of numerous researches (Martins et al, 2015b(Martins et al, , 2014. Considered a commensal microorganism, being naturally present in gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy population, Candida species have been increasingly associated with severe organic dysfunctions (Martins et al, 2014).…”

“…Particularly, the study of the antifungal and anti-yeast properties against opportunistic fungi and yeasts, such as Candida species, is still being the focus of numerous researches (Martins et al, 2015b(Martins et al, , 2014. Considered a commensal microorganism, being naturally present in gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy population, Candida species have been increasingly associated with severe organic dysfunctions (Martins et al, 2014). As the fourth leading cause of systemic infections, they have markedly triggering the wellbeing involve in life-threatening situations (Martins et al, 2014).…”

“…Considered a commensal microorganism, being naturally present in gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy population, Candida species have been increasingly associated with severe organic dysfunctions (Martins et al, 2014). As the fourth leading cause of systemic infections, they have markedly triggering the wellbeing involve in life-threatening situations (Martins et al, 2014).…”

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“…The high rate resistance of the fungal pathogen to antifungal drugs also reduce the success of antifungal therapy. Candida albicans is one of the few species of the Candida genus that cause local and systemic infections in humans, and is responsible for the majority of nosocomial infections and for 50-90% of all cases of invasive candidiasis in humans 1,2 .…”