Endoscopic image of esophageal candidiasis in a patient after chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. Brushings confirmed the presence of hyphae

H&E stain of esophagus showing Candida hyphae within the lamina propria

Esophageal candidiasis is an opportunistic infection of the esophagus by Candida albicans. A hypha (plural hyphae) is a long branching filamentous cell of a Fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. H&E stain, HE stain or hematoxylin and eosin stain, is a popular Staining method in Histology. A hypha (plural hyphae) is a long branching filamentous cell of a Fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. The lamina propria is a constituent of the moist linings known as mucous membranes or Mucosa, which line various tubes in the body (such as the respiratory tract the gastrointestinal The esophagus or oesophagus (see American and British English spelling differences) sometimes known as the gullet, is an organ in Candida albicans is a Diploid Fungus (a form of Yeast) which is capable of mating but not of Meiosis, and a causal agent of The disease occurs in patients in immunocompromised states, including post-chemotherapy and in AIDS. Chemotherapy, in its most general sense refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells specifically those of micro-organisms or Cancer. It is also known as candidal esophagitis or monilial esophagitis.

Clinical presentation

Patients with esophageal candidiasis present with odynophagia, or painful swallowing. Odynophagia is Painful Swallowing, in the mouth ( Oropharynx) or Esophagus. Longstanding esophageal candidiasis can result in weight loss. Weight loss, in the context of Medicine or Health or Physical fitness, is a reduction of the total Body weight, due to a mean loss of fluid There is often concomittant thrush.

Some patients present with esophageal candidiasis as a first presentation of systemic candidiasis. Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, is a Fungal infection (mycosis of any of the Candida species of which

Diagnostic testing

Patients where esophageal candidiasis is suspected should undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy if it is safe to do so. Endoscopy often reveals classic diffuse raised plaques that characteristically can be removed from the mucosa by the endsocope. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in Brushing or biopsy of the plaques shows hyphae that are characteristic of Candida species. A biopsy (in Greek: βίος life and όψη look/appearance is a Medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues A hypha (plural hyphae) is a long branching filamentous cell of a Fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria.

Therapy

A variety of medications may be used to treat esophageal candidiasis. They include:

• nystatin
• oral triazoles, such as fluconazole
• caspofungin, used in refractory or systemic cases
• amphotericin, used in refractory or systemic cases

See also

• candidiasis
• esophagitis
• neutropenia