Question

& Microbiology Lab* | Effect antibiotic on c. albicans History, introduction 2) Material, Procedure Discussion and Conclusion.

Answer 1

C. Albicans -

Domain. Eukaryota

Phylum. - ascomycota

Class - saccharomycetes

Order - saccharomycetales

Family - saccharomycetaceae

Genus - candida

Species - albicans

C. albicans is opportunistic fungal infection responsible for candidiasis in human hosts. Infection mainly occur in gastrointestinal, genitourinary tract, .generally present as harmless but overgrowth causes infection. Mainly occurs in immunocompromised patient, transplant patient, chemotherapy patient, low birth weight babies etc

Over 75% women suffer from c albicans infection during lifetime, It is 4th most common cause of nosocomial infection in patient bloodstream. This can result in life threatening, systemic infection.

Transmission --

C albicans transmitted from mother to child during birth. And remains as part of normal human microflora. Overgrowth leads to symptoms of disease. And occurs when there are imbalances.

C albicans shows  polymorphism , grow in several different forms , primarily yeast, pseudohypae, hyphae. Causes three major infection like oropharyngeal candidiasis, female genital candidiasis, invasive candidiasis ( candidemia)  

Diagnosis - oral and genital candidiasis are diagnosed in same manner. Usually scrap taken from affected area and studied under microscope. Candidemia require blood culture.

Treatment - antibiotic are required. For healthy individual, fluconazole 800 mg loading dose then 400 mg daily. For neutripenic patient echinocandin ( caspofungin, micafungin) or amphotericin B is preferred . Candidemia require fluconazole through IV.  Treatment with low dose and high dose of amphotericin B result in 40% less side effects. But fluconazole has least side effects.

Infection can be prevented by keeping a healthy lifestyle, good hygiene, proper nutrition and careful antibiotic use prevent infection.