Approximately 80% of the world's inhabitants are carriers of the parasitic fungus Candida Albicans. What is it, not everyone knows. But the disease called "thrush" is familiar to many. In medicine, it is called candidiasis. It can appear at any age, both in newborn babies and in respectable adults. Where does it come from and what does it have to do with the aforementioned fungus?
Characteristics of Candida albicans
A microscopic living creature called Candida albicans is a representative of the simplest yeast-like fungi that lead an exclusively parasitic lifestyle.
They are not indifferent to glycogen (polysaccharide), therefore, their greatest number is found in tissues rich in this substance, namely in the mucous membranes of the genitals, intestines, esophagus, larynx and oral cavity. In total, in the nature of the representatives of the Candida family, there are about 150 species, but fortunately no more than a dozen are dangerous for humans: C. globrata, C. guillermondii, C. kefyr, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. albicans and some others. Candida albicans is a unicellular organism, slightly oval or round. As they grow, the cells stretch more and more, forming something similar to a
mycelium of the fungus. This species propagates by budding. In small quantities, it is not only not dangerous, but even useful, since it stimulates the process of antibody production. If for any reason the fungal colonies grow, the disease begins candidiasis, or thrush.
Where to meet
In addition to the human body, parasitic fungi also live in the environment. All of them are aerobes, that is, they cannot exist without oxygen. They are found on personal hygiene items, toothbrushes, dishes, foods rich in sugars, such as fruits, as well as in milk, cottage cheese and meat.
Candida live in organisms of birds and mammals. Very often they are sifted on material taken from calves, kids, lambs. The parasitic form of existence stimulated the ability of these microorganisms to adapt to adverse living conditions (temperature, humidity, and so on). Experimentally proven, candida remain viable after freezing and drying. Candida albicans fungi in the environment are found less frequently than other members of the family. Their main place of residence is the human digestive tract. It is from there that they spread throughout the body and settle where they are most comfortable.
Infection pathways
Most often, innocent babies from the first moments of their lives receive the parasitic roommates of Candida albicans. What is it and how can a newborn be infected? If the baby’s mother has these mushrooms on her mucous membranes, the child receives them during the act of being born, with his first breath. There are facts of the detection of Candida albicans in the amniotic fluid, as well as in the placenta, which gives the right to talk about intrauterine infection with these microorganisms. In addition, the baby may become infected from a sick mother while sucking, through the nipple, household items, and non-sterile medical instruments. Adults, whom Candida albicans did not overtake in childhood, can get it during intercourse, through a kiss and also during medical procedures.
When an infection develops into a disease
Fortunately, catching this harmful fungus does not mean getting sick. The fact is that some microorganisms are opportunistic, including Candida albicans. What it is? Conditionally pathogenic fungus means that it becomes pathogenic only under certain conditions.
While there are none, the microorganism is almost harmless. Candida albicans, once in the human body, settles in the digestive tract. From there, it spreads with blood flow to all the organs it needs. Other bacteria living in the human body hold the fungus within certain limits and prevent it from multiplying excessively. Troubles begin when the existing balance is disturbed. Causes:
- decrease in immunity (hypovitaminosis, vitamin deficiency);
- pregnancy;
- taking antibiotics, corticosteroids;
- concomitant diseases;
- infections.
The main factor contributing to the onset of candidiasis is a decrease in immunity. Doctors have identified a number of diseases that provoke the development and growth of Candida albicans colonies in women, men and children. These include:
- AIDS;
- tuberculosis;
- any oncology and chemotherapy conducted at it, radiation;
- diabetes;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- vaginosis;
- hypothyroidism;
- infectious diseases;
- blood diseases.
Diagnostics
If thrush is suspected, the doctor should conduct an examination for the presence of Candida Albicans in the patient. The analysis includes:
- a smear from the place of intended residence of the colony of mushrooms;
- sowing;
- PCR (polymer chain reaction of DNA);
- ELISA (enzyme immunoassay).
As a result of these studies, it is revealed whether or not Candida albicans is in the material. The norm is when it is not there and the result is negative. If a fungus is present, its growth rate and drug sensitivity are determined. With candidiasis, the colony growth rate is more than 104 CFU / ml. In order for the analysis to show the correct results, some rules must be observed. When taking a smear from the oral cavity before analysis, you can not rinse your mouth and brush your teeth, and when taking a smear from the genitals or urethra, it is forbidden to wash. When taking a scraping from the urethra, urination is allowed no later than 2 hours before analysis. For sowing take urine, feces, sputum, scrapings from the mucous membranes, ears, nostrils. An analysis is being prepared for three days.
The most qualitative analysis, although the most expensive, is PCR. It allows you to detect parasitic fungi even in minimal quantities. For this analysis, sputum, blood, genital secretions, and other biomaterials are used. PCR is carried out in special amplifiers. These devices allow heating or cooling of the test material with an accuracy of 0.1 degrees Celsius. PCR is most often performed with advanced forms of candidiasis and with blurry symptoms, when it is difficult to isolate any one sexually transmitted disease.
ELISA allows the determination of antibodies to Candida albicans. This analysis is carried out, as a rule, in conjunction with cultural studies (bacosowing). The biomaterial for ELISA is venous blood. This analysis reveals the presence of other infections in the body and helps to find the most effective treatments.
Childhood candidiasis
Candida albicans in a child is most often manifested in the mouth. The main symptom is a white coating on the tongue, gums, inner sides of the cheeks. It seems that the baby just ate cottage cheese or drank kefir. In advanced stages, plaque appears on the lips. A child with a thrush becomes moody, eats poorly, does not smile. Sometimes the disease captures areas of the skin, especially on the priest, in the folds and on the genitals, as well as internal organs. This is what the Candida albicans is insidious. Thrush treatment should be started immediately. At the initial stage, it is limited to the lubrication of white plaque with antifungal drugs. Used to be green. It really helps, but it dries the mucous membranes too much, so it is better to use modern means. It is recommended that mothers rinse the nipple with special bactericidal agents after each feeding. You can also use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or baking soda. For hygienic purposes, in no case should you slobber a nipple before putting it into your baby’s mouth. All children's toys and rattles should be washed regularly, and bottles and nipples should be kept out of the reach of flies. If there is no improvement after local treatment, additional tests are performed for the child in order to identify diseases provoking candidiasis. Often candidiasis in children is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, which is treated with restoring microflora drugs. If the fungus appears on the skin, it is useful when bathing a child in water to add decoctions of chamomile, calendula, thyme. The baby’s underwear and diapers should only be made from natural fabrics. This is especially true for the choice of diapers, which with candidiasis need to be changed quite often.
Candidiasis in women
One of the ways of infection with Candida albicans is genital. However, only 25% (or less) of male partners of women with candidiasis have this disease. Most often affects women of Candida albicans during pregnancy, because in this interesting position, vaginal cells begin to intensively produce glycogen. Candida colonies settle and multiply outside and inside the genitals, so the disease is called vulvovaginitis. It is complicated and uncomplicated. Symptoms of uncomplicated vulvovaginitis:
- white vaginal discharge, similar to clotted sour milk;
- genital mucosa irritation;
- itching of the vulva and vestibule of the vagina, worse after washing, intercourse, in the morning;
- pain during intercourse;
- unpleasant smell of linen.
Symptoms of complicated vulvovaginitis:
- vaginal discharge becomes thick, although not so plentiful;
- swelling, redness of the labia and clitoris;
- cracks and wounds in any areas of the genitals;
- increased pain not only during intercourse, but also during urination.
Treatment
If Candida albicans is detected, treatment in women is carried out locally and by ingestion of tablets. With the help of antifungal ointments, creams, suppositories, special capsules, mainly uncomplicated vulvovaginitis is treated. To date, the most popular outdoor remedies are as follows:
- Miconazole.
- Polygynax.
- "Clotrimazole".
- Sertocanazole.
- suppositories with nystatin or pimafucin.
In addition to antifungal, anti-inflammatory ointments are also used.
Inside appoint:
- "Fluconazole."
- Diflucan.
- Nizoral.
- "Natamycin" and others.
If pregnant women have Candida albicans, treatment is prescribed primarily locally. Only in especially severe cases prescribe pumacitin tablets. In addition to the above funds, immunity strengthening drugs and vitamins are also prescribed. Women are recommended to wear underwear only from natural fibers, avoid wearing strings, and use natural hygiene products. During a relapse of candidiasis, it is extremely undesirable to perform sexual acts and other actions that could lead to injury to the mucous membranes of the genitals.
It is important when treating candidiasis to treat both sexual partners so that re-infection does not occur.
Candida albicans in men
In the stronger sex, candidiasis is called balanoposthitis. Its symptoms are:
- swelling and redness of the glans penis and its foreskin;
- cheesy copious or moderate discharge;
- itching and burning of the penis;
- unpleasant characteristic odor;
- pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
In most cases, male candidiasis is treated topically by applying antifungal ointments to the affected area.
Sometimes in both men and women, recurrent candidiasis is detected. This means frequent exacerbation of the disease (4 times a year or more). As for the causes of these relapses, doctors do not have a single opinion, but it has been proved that AIDS and diabetes are most susceptible to them.
What are other candidiasis
In addition to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and genitals, there are superficial candidiasis caused by the fungus Candida albicans. What it is? These include:
- paranoia;
- onychia;
- red border of lips;
- jamming;
- candidiasis of the skin and skin folds, large and small.
Paronychia is an inflamed condition of the prong nail, and onychia is a disease of the nails. Often these two types of candidiasis are present together. The reason for their appearance are burrs, infection during the manicure. Sometimes they take paronychia and onychia not quite seriously, letting the disease go by itself. But if you do not start the right treatment on time, these forms of candidiasis develop into a chronic one, which is much more difficult to get rid of. Antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment, and in the event of purulent foci in the lesion sites, surgery is performed. In addition to nails, thrush often affects the skin between the fingers and toes. This form is characterized by obsessive itching and pain.
Seizures with thrush are characterized by the appearance of a white border in the corners of the mouth. Often this disease is accompanied by the appearance of a red flaky lip border and oral candidiasis. This disease is most susceptible to children and the elderly, who have dentures.
Thrush of the skin is most often observed in the folds of the groin, under the breast, in the gluteal fold and in the armpits. It is characterized by a rash of small reddish vesicles, at the opening of which erosion, redness and inflammation of the affected areas and the formation of a curd mass are formed. Candidiasis is more prone to overweight people.
In addition, Candida albicans fungi cause intestinal candidiasis, which is manifested by dysbiosis. Characteristic symptoms are loose stools interspersed with white curd flakes. Sometimes there is blood in the stool. This type of candidiasis is especially dangerous for babies, since with diarrhea there is a lag in the weight of infants, and in severe cases, in general development. The causes of this form of the disease:
- taking antibiotics;
- AIDS;
- diabetes;
- oncology;
- improper nutrition;
- any diseases that depress the immune system.
Treatment of mild forms is to restore the microflora of the digestive tract. In severe forms of the course of dysbacteriosis caused by Candida albicans, Ketoconazole, Introconazole and similar non-adsorbed drugs are prescribed.