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Candidiasis

Candida albicans and other Candida species are found in the normal flora of human mucous membranes, especially in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and female genital tracts. In these locations, Candida may proliferate and produce local lesions; also, Candida may disseminate from these locations.
Moist, warm, eroded skin in intertriginous areas, the diaper area, or nails is subject to acute and chronic surface infection. Mucous membranes of the mouth (thrush) and vagina (vaginitis) are made more susceptible to overgrowth of Candida by use of antimicrobial agents that suppress normal flora or by use of corticosteroid. Rarely, Candida invades tissues or the bloodstream – for example, in patients with indwelling catheters, immunodeficiency, leukemia, parenteral drug abuse, or prematurity – and may cause progressive systemic disease, including pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, renal lesions, and involvement of other organs.