Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

Definition

It is an infection of the fungi of the Candidi family, usually found in the mouth, nails, skin and sometimes it is found on other organs. The name Candidi refers to the white color of the infection. It is a heterogeneous disorder of the immune system characterized by persistent yeast infections of the mucous membranes and scalp. The patients with mucocutaneous candidiasis have an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders including endocrine disorders, diabetes, hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hair loss or loss of skin pigment.

Causes of Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

Causes of mucocutaneous candidiasis are as:-

• The fungal infection is also the main cause of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• A patient, who has AIDS, get easily affected by it.
• The immune system failure is the main cause of mucocutaneous candidiasis. An immunosuppressed patient, is more prone to get affected by mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• Inheritance can also lead to the condition of mucocutaneous candidiasis i.e. you got from either one parent or both parents.

Symptoms of Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

Symptoms of mucocutaneous candidiasis are as:-

• Liver problems such as hepatitis and Cirrhosis are rarely present.
• Oral Thrush -- mouth, tongue, and throat are covered with a cream/white-colored, curdlike film or even ulcers
• The finger nails may appear red and may swell.
• A lot of lumps, may be seen in the affected area of the skin.
• The red rashes may be seen often in the vaginal area.
• The yeast infection in the mouth is the primary symptom of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• The infection of cornea and eyelids are also common in mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• The presence of some additional germs including bacteria and other fungi may also be seen as a symptoms in the patient of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• Thrush lesions may also be seen in the esophagus, causing pain and difficulty swallowing.
  
• Candida can also form lesions on the larynx (vocal cord), causing hoarse voice.
  
• Fingernails and toenails have a painful, reddened, and tense swelling at the base or along the sides.
  
• Candida infection may also be seen under the nails as a greenish/brown lesion.
  
• Reddened, irritated areas are seen under the arms, groin, breasts, vagina, and in between the buttocks.  These areas are often itchy and uncomfortable.
  
• Granulomas lesions with a reddened base are seen on the skin, scalp, and trunk, but rarely on the face, hands, or feet.

Treatments of Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

Treatments for mucocutaneous candidiasis includes:-

• For severe MC, Fluconazole, Ketocoazole, and Azole may be used daily and often, for long periods of time.
• The gene replacement therapy is also very suitable for the treatment.
• One of the widely used treatment of it is the transfer factor, which is a cell-free protein extracted from the T lymphocytes of Candida -immune donors.
• The oral anti-fungal antibiotics such as fluconazole and itraconazole are found very effective in the treatment of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• Short courses of oral antifungals can be applied for the fast recovery from disorder.
• Fluconazole as amphotericin B is an effective for treating mucocutaneous candidiasis.
• The standard treatment consists of anti-fungal medication.
• Topical creams or vaginal preparations can be helpful if the rash is mild.  If there is pain or itching, topical creams such as corticosteroid or antihistamine creams can help.
• Before starting medication, it is good idea for women to make sure that they are not pregnant.
  
• Clotrimazole troches or Nystatin solution is helpful in oral Thrush.