Candida albicans - what is it? Candida albicans. Candidiasis, thrush

Approximately 80% of the planet's inhabitants are carriers of the parasitic fungus Candida Albicans. What is it, do not everyone know. But the disease called "thrush" is familiar to many. In medicine, it is called candidiasis. It can appear at any age, and in newborn babies, and in respectable adults. Where does it come from and what does it have to the aforementioned fungus?

Characteristics of Candida albicans

A microscopic living thing, called Candida albicans, is a representative of the simplest yeast-like fungi, leading exclusively parasitic life. They are not indifferent to glycogen (polysaccharide), so the greatest number of them is found in tissues rich in this substance, namely in mucous genitalia, intestines, esophagus, larynx and oral cavity. There are about 150 species in the nature of representatives of the Candida family, but fortunately, for humans no more than a dozen are dangerous: C. globrata, C. guillermondii, C. kefyr, C. krusei, C.tropicalis, C. albicans and some others. Candida albicans is a single-celled organism, a little oval or round. As the cells grow, they stretch more and more, forming something resembling a fungal mycelium. This species multiplies by its budding. In small quantities, it is not only not dangerous, but even useful, as it stimulates the process of producing antibodies. If for some reason the colonies of fungi grow, a candidiasis, or thrush, begins.

Where you can meet

Mushroom parasites, in addition to the human body, live in the environment. All of them are aerobes, that is, they can not exist without oxygen. They find them on personal hygiene items, toothbrushes, dishes, foods rich in sugars, for example, fruits, as well as in milk, cottage cheese and meat. Candida live in the organisms of birds and mammals. Very often they are sifted on the material taken from calves, kids, lambs. The parasitic form of existence stimulated these microorganisms to adapt to unfavorable living conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.). It has been experimentally proven that candida retain viability after freezing and drying. Fungi Candida albicans in the environment are found less often than other members of the family. Their main residence is the human gastrointestinal tract. It is from there that they are carried along the body and settle where they are most comfortable.

Ways of infection

Most often, innocent babies from the first moments of their lives receive parasitic cohabitants Candida albicans. What is it and how can you get a newborn? If the mother of the baby has these mushrooms on her mucous, the child receives them during the act of appearance, with his first sigh. There are facts of Candida albicans detection in the amniotic fluid, as well as in the placenta, which gives the right to speak about intrauterine infection with these microorganisms. In addition, a child can get infected from a sick mother during breastfeeding, through the nipple, household items and non-sterile medical instruments. Adults, whom Candida albicans did not overtake in childhood, can get it during sexual intercourse, through a kiss and also during medical procedures.

When the infection grows into a disease

Fortunately, to catch this malignant fungus - does not mean to get sick. The fact is that some microorganisms are conditionally-pathogenic, 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 practically harmless. Candida albikans, having got into the human body, settles in the digestive tract. Already from there, with blood flow, it spreads through all the organs that it needs. Other bacteria living in the human body keep the fungus within certain limits and do not allow it to multiply excessively. Troubles begin when the existing balance is broken. Causes:

- decreased immunity (hypovitaminosis, beriberi);

- Pregnancy;

- taking antibiotics, corticosteroids;

- concomitant diseases;

Infection.

The main factor contributing to the emergence of candidiasis is a decrease in immunity. The doctors 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, irradiation;

- diabetes;

- Gastrointestinal diseases;

- diseases of the genitourinary system;

- Vaginosis;

- hypothyroidism;

- infectious diseases;

- Diseases of the blood.

Diagnostics

If a suspected thrush is suspected, the doctor should conduct a screening for the presence of Candida Albicans. The analysis includes:

- a smear from the place of the alleged 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 there is Candida albicans in the material. Norm when it is not there and the result is negative. In the presence of a fungus, its growth rate and sensitivity to drugs are determined. With candidiasis the rate of colony growth is more than 104 cfu / ml. In order for the analysis to show the correct results, it is necessary to follow certain rules. When taking a smear from the oral cavity before the 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 out. When taking a scraping from the urethra, urinate is allowed no later than 2 hours before the analysis. For sowing, take urine, feces, sputum, scrapings from mucous membranes, ears, nostrils. The analysis is being prepared for three days.

The most qualitative analysis, albeit the most expensive, is PCR. It allows detecting parasitic fungi even in minimal amounts. For this analysis, sputum, blood, genital secretions, and other biomaterials are used. Carry out PCR in special amplifiers. These devices allow heating or cooling of the test material with an accuracy of 0.1 degrees Celsius. Carry out PCR more often with neglected forms of candidiasis and with blurred symptoms, when it is difficult to isolate any one sexually transmitted disease.

ELISA allows the detection of antibodies to Candida albicans. This analysis, as a rule, is carried out in conjunction with culture research (bakpossevom). 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 means of treatment.

Children's Candidiasis

Candida albicans in a child is most often manifested in the mouth. The main symptom is a white coating on the tongue, the gums, the inner sides of the cheeks. It seems that the baby has just eaten cottage cheese or drank yogurt. In advanced stages, the plaque appears on the lips. A child with a thrush becomes capricious, does not eat well, does not smile. Sometimes the disease seizes skin, especially on the pope, in the folds and genitals, as well as internal organs. This is also the cunning of Candida albicans. Treatment of thrush should begin without delay. At the initial stage, it is limited to the lubrication of white deposits with antifungal agents. Previously, used green. It really helps, but it also dries out the mucous membranes, so it's better to use modern means. Mothers are recommended after each feeding to wash the nipple with special antibacterial agents. You can also use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or baking soda. For hygienic purposes, in no case can you slobber the nipple, before you put it into your baby's mouth. All children's toys and rattles should be washed regularly, and the bottles and nipples should be stored in a place inaccessible to flies. If there is no improvement after local treatment, the child is undergoing additional tests to identify candidiasis-provoking diseases. Often candidiasis in children is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, which is treated with microflora-repairing drugs. If the fungus appeared on the skin, it is useful when bathing a child in the water to add broths of chamomile, calendula, thyme. Linen and baby diapers should only be made from natural fabrics. Especially it concerns the choice of diapers, which in candidiasis should be changed quite often.

Candidiasis in women

One of the ways of getting Candida albicans fungus is sexual. However, only 25% (and less) of the male partners of women with candidiasis, this disease is detected. Most often affects women Candida albicans during pregnancy, because in this interesting position the cells of the vagina begin to intensively produce glycogen. Candida colonies settle and reproduce outside and inside the genitals, so the disease was called vulvovaginitis. It can be complicated and uncomplicated. Symptoms of uncomplicated vulvovaginitis:

• White discharge from the vagina, similar to curdled sour milk;
• Irritation of the mucous genitalia;
• Itching of the vulva and vestibule of the vagina, which is strengthened after erosions, sexual acts, in the morning;
• Pain during sexual intercourse;
• Unpleasant smell of laundry.

Symptoms of complicated vulvovaginitis:

• The discharge from the vagina becomes thick, although not so abundant;
• Swelling, redness of the labia and clitoris;
• Cracks and wounds in any parts of the genital area;
• Increased soreness not only during sexual intercourse, but also during urination.

Treatment

When Candida albicans are detected, treatment in women is performed topically and by taking the tablets inside. With the help of antifungal ointments, creams, suppositories, special capsules, mostly uncomplicated vulvovaginitis is treated. To date, the most popular outdoor products are as follows:

"Miconazole."

- "Polizhinaks".

- "Clotrimazole".

- "Sertokanazol".

- candles with nystatin or with pimafucine.

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 usually administered topically. Only in especially severe cases they prescribe pills "Pumafitsin". In addition to the above funds are also prescribed drugs that strengthen immunity, and vitamins. Women are recommended to wear underwear only from natural fibers, avoid wearing strings, use natural hygiene. During the recurrence of candidiasis, it is highly undesirable to perform sexual acts and other actions that can lead to trauma to the mucous genitalia.

It is important, when finding a candidiasis, to treat both sexual partners so that there is no re-infection.

Candida albicans in men

In representatives of the stronger sex candidiasis is called balanoposthitis. His symptoms are:

- swelling and redness of the head of the penis and its foreskin;

- curdled, abundant or moderate discharge;

- itching and burning of the penis;

- unpleasant characteristic odor;

- soreness with urination and sexual intercourse.

In most cases, male candidiasis is treated topically by applying an antifungal ointment to the affected area.

Sometimes both men and women experience recurrent candidiasis. This means frequent exacerbation of the disease (4 times a year or more). Concerning the reasons for these relapses, doctors do not have a common opinion, but it is proved that the most affected are those with AIDS and diabetes.

What are candidiasis?

In addition to the oral mucosa and genital organs, there are superficial candidiasis caused by the Candida albicans fungus. What it is? These include:

- Paranichia;

- onychia;

- red lip margins;

- Congestion;

- Candidiasis of skin and skin folds, large and small.

Paronychia is an inflamed condition of the prioggic cushion, and onychia is a disease of the nails. Often these two kinds of candidiasis are present together. The cause of their appearance are bugs, infection in the process of doing manicure. Sometimes the paronychia and onychia are not taken seriously, letting the disease into its own right. But if you do not start the right treatment on time, these forms of candidiasis grow into a chronic one, getting rid of it is much more difficult. For treatment, antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs are used, and in the case of purulent foci in the lesions, surgical intervention is performed. In addition to nails, thrush often affects the skin between the fingers and toes. This form is characterized by obsessive itching and painful sensations.

Zaeda 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 red flaky lip margins and oral candidiasis. This disease is most likely to affect children and people of advanced age who have dentures.

Thrush 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 the precipitation of small reddish vesicles, the opening of which produces erosion, redness and inflammation of the affected areas and the formation of a curdled mass. Candidiasis of the skin is more prone to people with excessive body weight.

In addition, Candida albicans fungus causes candidiasis of the intestine, which manifests itself as a dysbacteriosis. Characteristic symptoms - a loose stool with impregnations of white curdled flakes. Sometimes there is blood in the stool. Especially dangerous this kind of candidiasis for toddlers, as with diarrhea, there is a lag in babies in weight, and in severe forms - in general development. The causes of this form of the disease:

- taking antibiotics;

- AIDS;

- diabetes;

- Oncology;

- malnutrition;

- Any diseases that depress immunity.

Treatment of mild forms is to restore the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. In severe forms of dysbacteriosis, caused by Candida albicans, preparations "Ketoconazole", "Introconazole" and similar non-adsorbable medications are prescribed.