Immunological aspects of infections part 43

FUNGAL INFECTION

Fungi cause many diseases, most of which are adequately handled by the immune system of the normal host. However, the increased use of immunosuppresive secondary to HIV infection-has raised our awareness of these infections. For example, Candida albicans can cause superficial infections in the normal host and is found throughout the intestinal tract and commonly  in the vagina. The organism is usually kept under control by the bacterial flora, but changes in these flora secondary to overuse of antibiotics or changes in hormone balance will favor a chronic superficial infection. All of this is exacerbated in the immunocompromised host.