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Classification: (1)

Candidiasis can be classified according to the site of infection into:

Localoized mucocutaneous:

Oropharyngeal candidiasis Esophageal candidiasis Candida vulvovaginitis

Invasive Candidiasis: More serious and usually presenting in an immunocompromised host.

Candidaemia Candida endophthalmitis Candida endocarditis Candida osteoarticular disease

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Pathophysiology:

Candida is a normal commensal of skin and mucous membranes. A competent immune system and an intact regenerating healthy skin prevent the virulence of Candida.

The main virulence factors that mediate the infection: (2) Secreting molecules that mediate adherence into host cells Production of hydrolases which has a lytic effect on tissues and facilitate the invasion by the bacteria. Polymorphism: Candida has the ability to grow either as pseudohyphae (elongated elipsoid form) or in a yeast form (rounded to oval budding form. While the role of polymorphism is not clearly understood in the virulence of Candida, it’s noted that species capable of producing the most severe form of the disease has this ability. Biofilm production: which means the ability to form a thick layer of the organism on the mucosal surfaces or even on catheters and dentures.