Causes and pathogenesis of candidiasis in children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Causes of Candidiasis in Children
The genus Candida includes 30 species with 6 variants. Yeast-like fungi grow under aerobic conditions, refer to opportunistic microorganisms. Transfer multiple freezing, retain viability in the dried state for several years. At boiling die almost instantly. Common disinfectant solutions kill them within a few minutes.
[Pathogenesis of candidal infection
Infection can occur both exogenous and endogenous.
Candidiasis of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and skin is more often detected in newborns, and especially in premature infants, which is explained by the weakness of general and local defense mechanisms. The process easily spreads to neighboring tissues and organs, there is a generalized candidiasis infection with internal organs. Artificial feeding of newborns also contributes to the emergence and more severe course of candidiasis.
In older children, despite the constant carrier of yeast-like fungi, Candidiasis is rare. Only in cases of severe diseases that break the general and local resistance of the body, typical forms of candidiasis infection complicating the underlying disease can occur.
Candidiasis predisposes a violation of carbohydrate metabolism (diabetes, obesity). In the pathogenesis of fungal stomatitis and congestion, indigestion, reduced acidity of gastric juice, achilles are important, which leads to a disruption in the assimilation of vitamins and easier introduction of yeast-like fungi.
An extremely large role in the development of candidiasis is played by the prolonged and unsystematic use of antibiotics, especially a broad spectrum of action, or simultaneously several such drugs, as a result of which the normal microbial flora is suppressed. Develops dysbiosis, which contributes to the onset of candidal infection.
A provoking factor may be the use of glucocorticoids, cytostatics and other immunosuppressants, which violate the immune status of the organism and contribute to the manifestation of pathogenic properties of opportunistic microorganisms, including Candida.
In the pathogenesis of candidal disease, a significant role is played by the sensitizing ability of fungi of the genus Candida and the products of their metabolism, which changes the reactivity of the organism. As a result, there are various allergic reactions, aggravating, and often determining the course of the disease. It can be an allergic skin rash (candidamycides, or levurides), superficially resembling eczema or exudative erythema, urticaria, edema Quincke, etc.