Zakażenia grzybami Candida - wyzwanie medycyny XXI wieku

Candida are microorganisms widely distributed in the nature. The majority of people colonize the skin and mucous membranes entering into the composition of the saprophytic flora. Fungal growth is controlled by a functioning immune system host and the presence of other saprophytic microorganisms, which counteracts the excessive proliferation of the colonies. Along with advances in medicine, there has been an increase in the number of Candida infections. Infections predispose the primary or secondary immunodeficiency, long-term antibacterial treatment, long-term hospitalization, particularly in intensive care unit and the use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. In most cases, the disclosure of a symptomatic infection is asymptomatic colonization, because most of the candidiasis is endogenous infections. Candida infections manifest as skin infections and/or mucous membranes or invasive infections that may involve any organ. Non-specific fungal infection symptomatology is causing diagnostic difficulty and prolongs the time of making diagnosis and the use of proper treatment. Candida albicans is the dominant etiology of candidiasis, though in the recent years participation of non-albicans species has increased. At the same time, there is a growing drug resistance of fungi on commonly used drugs. Diagnosis is based on microscopic examination and breeding, as well as on the use of molecular biology techniques. In this article the most common Candida infections are characterized and describe the ways to diagnose and treat candidiasis.