Intestinal candidiasis. A clinical report and comments about this opportunistic pathology

Mycopathologia. 2002;156(1):9-11. doi: 10.1023/a:1021326713470.

Abstract

An eight-years-old girl, who presented with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Afterward she presented with intestinal candidiasis. The isolated species was identified as Candida albicans by differential tests. Treatment given was with 500,000 IU of oral nystatin every 8 hours for 10 days and intestinal normal microbiota restoratives. Evolution has been satisfactory, although concomitantly type A hepatitis developed. Rest and a soft diet were recommended. The child is now perfectly healthy with normal liver function tests.

Conclusion: Prolonged treatments with broad-spectrum antibiotics destroyed the indigenous intestinal microbiota, which provoked intestinal C. Albicans proliferation and adversely affected the immunological system of the patient, thus facilitating the establishment of a viral infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida albicans / growth & development*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Nystatin / therapeutic use
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Opportunistic Infections / microbiology*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Nystatin