Candida albicans

C. albicans, the most important species of

Candida, causes vaginitis, thrush ,esophagitis,
and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.

It also causes disseminated infections such as

endocarditis (especially in IV drug users) and
blood stream infections (candidemia).

Infections related to indwelling intravenous and

urinary catheters are also important.
 C. albicans
Properties
C. albicans is an oval yeast with a single
bud.
It is part of the normal flora of mucous
membranes of the upper respiratory,
gastrointestinal, and female genital tracts.
In tissues it may appear as yeasts or as
pseudohyphae.

Pseudohyphae are elongated yeasts that

visually resemble hyphae but are not true
hyphae.
 C. albicans
Transmission
As a member of the normal flora, it is already
present on the skin and mucous membranes.

It is, therefore, not transmitted.

The presence of C. albicans on the skin predisposes

to infections involving instruments that penetrate
the skin, such as needles (IV drug use) and
indwelling catheters.
 C. albicans
Pathogenesis & Clinical Findings

When local or systemic host defenses are impaired,

disease may result.

Overgrowth of C. albicans in the mouth produces white

patches called thrush. (Note that thrush is a
pseudomembrane)

Vulvovaginitis with itching and discharge is favored by

high pH, diabetes, or use of antibiotics.

Skin invasion occurs in warm, moist areas, which

become red and weeping.
 C. albicans

Vaginal candidiasis presents as itching and burning pain

of the vulva and vagina, accompanied by a thick or thin
white discharge.
HIV-positive females often experience recurrent vaginal
candidiasis.

Systemic candidiasis is a potentially life-threatening

infection that occurs in debilitated individuals, cancer,
individuals on systemic corticosteroids, and patients
treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Systemic candidiasis may involve the gastrointestinal

tract, kidneys, liver, and spleen.
 Laboratory diagnosis

Exposed lesions can usually be easily diagnosed by

clinical appearance together with different lab
tests.

Specimens: vaginal discharge are examined using

different methods

Systemic candidiasis is difficult to diagnose.

Definitive diagnosis is made by the histopathologic
demonstration of the invasion of tissue by the yeast.
Direct examination
KOH
Finding typical budding yeast cells
and pseudohyphae in lesion
scrapings treated with KOH.

Gram- stain
Gram stain smears shows large
gram positive budding yeast cells
with pseudohyphea.
Gram staining of sputum: Gram-positive
yeast cells and hyphae
Culture and identification
Growth is rapid on SDA, BA, trypticase soy, and
many other media.
Creamy yeast colonies are formed after
overnight incubation at temperature of 370C

C. albicans grows as round-to-oval yeast cells that

are 4-6m in diameter.
Psudohyphae and (hyphae?) also seen; especially
at lower incubation temperature (i.e. 220C-250C)
and on nutritionally poor media.

Blood culture: if there is suspicion of fungemia.

Creamy colonies on Sabrouds Dextros Agar (SDA)
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