Candidiasis Clinical Presentation

Candidiasis can cause a wide spectrum of clinical syndromes, as described below. The clinical presentation can vary depending on the type of infection and the degree of immunosuppression.

This chapter is referred mainly to systemic and invasive forms of candidiasis. For a more detailed discussion, several others chapter are available at emedicine.medscape.com (cutaneous candidiasis, mucosal candidiasis, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, pediatric candidiasis, candidiasis in emergency medicine).

Cutaneous candidiasis syndromes

Generalized cutaneous candidiasis: This is an unusual form of cutaneous candidiasis that manifests as a diffuse eruption over the trunk, thorax, and extremities. The patient has a history of generalized pruritus, with increased severity in the genitocrural folds, anal region, axillae, hands, and feet. Physical examination reveals a widespread rash that begins as individual vesicles that spread into large confluent areas.

Intertrigo: The patient has a history of intertrigo affecting any site in which skin surfaces are in close proximity, providing a warm and moist environment. A pruritic red rash develops. Physical examination reveals a rash that begins with vesiculopustules that enlarge and rupture, causing maceration and fissuring. The area involved has a scalloped border with a white rim consisting of necrotic epidermis that surrounds the erythematous macerated base. Satellite lesions are commonly found and may coalesce and extend into larger lesions.

Metastatic skin lesions: Characteristic skin lesions occur in approximately 10% of patients with disseminated candidiasis and candidemia. The lesions may be numerous or few and are generally described as erythematous, firm, nontender macronodular lesions with discrete borders. Biopsy specimens of these lesions demonstrate yeast cells, hyphae, or pseudohyphae, and cultures are positive for Candida species in approximately 50% of cases.

Candidafolliculitis: The infection is found predominantly in the hair follicles and, rarely, can become extensive.

Paronychia and onychomycosis: Paronychia and onychomycosis frequently are associated with immersion of the hands in water and with diabetes mellitus. The patient has a history of a painful and erythematous area around and underneath the nail and nail bed. Physical examination reveals an area of inflammation that becomes warm, glistening, tense, and erythematous and may extend extensively under the nail. It is associated with secondary nail thickening, ridging, discoloration, and occasional nail loss.

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis describes a group of Candida infections of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes that tends to have a protracted and persistent course.

History: Most infections begin in infancy or during the first 2 decades of life; onset in people older than 30 years is rare.

Most patients survive for prolonged periods and rarely experience disseminated fungal infections. The most common cause of death is bacterial sepsis.

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis frequently is associated with endocrinopathies, such as the following:

• Hypoparathyroidism

• Addison disease

• Hypothyroidism

• Diabetes mellitus

• Autoimmune antibodies to adrenal, thyroid, and gastric tissues (approximately 50%)

• Thymomas

• Dental dysplasia

• Polyglandular autoimmune disease

• Antibodies to melanin-producing cells

Physical examination: Findings reveal disfiguring lesions of the face, scalp, hands, and nails. This is occasionally associated with oral thrush and vitiligo.

Gastrointestinal tract candidiasis

Oropharyngeal candidiasis

The patient usually has a history of HIV infection, wears dentures, has diabetes mellitus, or has been exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics or inhaled steroids. Patients are frequently asymptomatic. However, symptoms may include the following:

• Sore and painful mouth

• Burning mouth or tongue

• Dysphagia

• Whitish thick patches on the oral mucosa

Physical examination reveals a diffuse erythema and white patches that appear on the surfaces of the buccal mucosa, throat, tongue, and gums. The following are the 5 types of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC):

• Membranous candidiasis: This is one of the most common types and is characterized by creamy-white curdlike patches on the mucosal surfaces.

• Erythematous candidiasis: This is associated with an erythematous patch on the hard and soft palates.

• Chronic atrophic candidiasis (denture stomatitis): This type is thought to be one of the most common forms of the disease. The presenting signs and symptoms include chronic erythema and edema of the portion of the palate that comes into contact with dentures.

• Angular cheilitis: An inflammatory reaction, this type is characterized by soreness, erythema, and fissuring at the corners of the mouth.

  Soreness and cracks at the lateral angles of the mouth (angular cheilitis) are a frequent expression of candidiasis in elderly individuals. Courtesy of Matthew C. Lambiase, DO.

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• Mixed: A combination of any of the above types is possible.

Esophageal candidiasis

The patient's history usually includes chemotherapy, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or inhaled steroids, the presence of HIV infection or hematologic or solid-organ malignancy. Patients may be asymptomatic or may have 1 or more of the following symptoms:

• Normal oral mucosa (>50% of patients)

• Dysphagia

• Odynophagia

• Retrosternal pain

• Epigastric pain

• Nausea and vomiting

Physical examination almost always reveals oral candidiasis.

Nonesophageal gastrointestinal candidiasis

The patient usually has a history of neoplastic disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus is the most commonly infected site, followed by the stomach. Less commonly, patients have chronic gastric ulcerations, gastric perforations, or malignant gastric ulcers with concomitant candidal infection. The small bowel is the third most common site of infection (20%). The frequency of candidal infection in the small bowel is the same as in the large bowel. Approximately 15% of patients develop systemic candidiasis.

Physical examination findings vary depending on the site of infection. The diagnosis, however, cannot be made solely on culture results because approximately 20-25% of the population is colonized by Candida. The following symptoms may be present:

• Epigastric pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Fever and chills

• Abdominal mass (in some cases)

Respiratory tract candidiasis

The respiratory tract frequently is colonized with Candida species, especially in hospitalized patients. Approximately 20-25% of ambulatory patients are colonized with Candida species.

Laryngeal candidiasis: This is an uncommon form of invasive candidiasis that sometimes results in disseminated infection. It primarily is seen in patients with underlying hematologic or oncologic malignancies. The patient may present with a sore throat and hoarseness. The physical examination findings generally are unremarkable, and the diagnosis frequently is made with direct or indirect laryngoscopy.

Candida tracheobronchitis: This also is an uncommon form of invasive candidiasis. Most patients with Candida tracheobronchitis are HIV-positive or are severely immunocompromised. Most patients with Candida tracheobronchitis report fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. Physical examination reveals dyspnea and scattered rhonchi. The diagnosis generally is made with bronchoscopy.

Candida pneumonia: This rarely develops alone and is associated with disseminated candidiasis in rare cases. The most common form of infection is multiple lung abscesses due to the hematogenous dissemination of Candida species. The high degree of Candida colonization in the respiratory tract greatly complicates the diagnosis of Candida pneumonia. The history reveals risk factors similar to those of disseminated candidiasis, along with reports of shortness of breath, cough, and respiratory distress. Physical examination reveals fever, dyspnea, and variable breath sounds, ranging from clear to rhonchi or scattered rales.

Genitourinary tract candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC): This is the second most common cause of vaginitis. The patient's history includes vulvar pruritus, vaginal discharge, dysuria, and dyspareunia. Approximately 10% of women experience repeated attacks of VVC without precipitating risk factors. Physical examination findings include a vagina and labia that usually are erythematous, a thick curdlike discharge, and a normal cervix upon speculum examination. ^[1]

Candida balanitis: Patients report penile pruritus along with whitish patches on the penis. Candida balanitis is acquired through direct sexual contact with a partner who has VVC. Physical examination initially reveals vesicles on the penis that later develop into patches of whitish exudate. The rash occasionally spreads to the thighs, gluteal folds, buttocks, and scrotum.

Candida cystitis: Many patients are asymptomatic. However, bladder invasion may result in frequency, urgency, dysuria, hematuria, and suprapubic pain. Candida cystitis may or may not be associated with the use of a Foley catheter. Physical examination may reveal suprapubic pain; other findings are unremarkable.

Asymptomatic candiduria: Most catheterized patients with persistent candiduria are asymptomatic, similar to noncatheterized patients. Most patients with candiduria have easily identifiable risk factors for Candida colonization. Thus, invasive disease is difficult to differentiate from colonization based solely on culture results because approximately 5-10% of all urine cultures are positive for Candida. Clinical assessment is required to decide whether antifungal medication is indicated. ^{[16, 17]}

Ascending pyelonephritis: The use of stents and indwelling devices, along with the presence of diabetes, is the major predisposing risk factor in ascending infection. Most patient report flank pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and hematuria. Physical examination reveals abdominal pain, costovertebral-angle tenderness, and fever.

Fungal balls: This is due to the accumulation of fungal material in the renal pelvis. The condition may produce intermittent urinary tract obstruction with subsequent anuria and ensuing renal insufficiency.

Hepatosplenic candidiasis (chronic systemic candidiasis)

Hepatosplenic candidiasis is a form of systemic candidiasis in patients with an underlying hematologic malignancy and neutropenia and develops during the recovery phase of a neutropenic episode. The patient's history includes the following:

• Fever unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials

• Right upper quadrant pain

• Abdominal pain and distension

• Jaundice (rare)

Physical examination findings include right upper quadrant tenderness and hepatosplenomegaly (< 40%).

Systemic candidiasis

Systemic candidiasis can be divided into 2 primary syndromes: candidemia and disseminated candidiasis (organ infection by Candida species). Deep organ infections due to Candida species generally are observed as part of the disseminated candidiasis syndromes and may involve one or more organs.

Candidemia

Candida species are a frequent cause of bloodstream infection, having been reported as the fourth most commonly isolated organism in blood cultures. Candida infection generally is considered a nosocomial infection. ^{[18, 19]} The patient's history commonly reveals the following:

• Several days of fever that is unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials; frequently the only marker of infection

• Prolonged intravenous catheterization

• A history of several key risk factors (see Pathophysiology)

• Possibly associated with multiorgan infection

Physical examination results may include the following:

• Fever

• Macronodular skin lesions (approximately 10%)

• Candidal endophthalmitis (approximately 10%)  ^[20]

• Occasionally, septic shock (hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea)

Other causes of candidemia without invasive disease include the following:

• Intravascular catheter-related candidiasis: This entity usually responds promptly to catheter removal and antifungal treatment.

• Suppurative thrombophlebitis: This is associated with prolonged central venous catheterization. Suppurative thrombophlebitis manifests as fever and persistent candidemia despite appropriate antifungal therapy and catheter removal. Sepsis and septic shock may develop.

• Endocarditis: The frequency of endocarditis has recently increased. ^[21] Candida species, primarily C albicans and Candidaparapsilosis (>60% of cases), are the most common cause of fungal endocarditis. The aortic and mitral valves most are commonly involved. The endocarditis may be exogenous (due to direct inoculation during surgery) or endogenous (due to hematogenous dissemination during bloodstream invasion). Candida endocarditis is associated with 4 main risk factors, including intravenous heroin use (frequently associated with C parapsilosis infection), chemotherapy, prosthetic valves (approximately 50%), and prolonged use of central venous catheters. The physical examination reveals a broad range of manifestations, including fever unresponsive to antimicrobials, hypotension, shock, new or changing murmurs, and large septic emboli to major organs, a characteristic of fungal endocarditis.

Disseminated candidiasis

This is frequently associated with multiple deep organ infections or may involve single organ infection. Unfortunately, blood cultures are negative in up to 40-60% of patients with disseminated candidiasis. The history of a patient with presumptive disseminated candidiasis reveals a fever unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials and negative results from blood culture. Physical examination reveals fever (may be the only symptom) with an unknown source and associated sepsis and septic shock.

Candida endophthalmitis

The 2 primary forms of Candidaendophthalmitis are the exogenous form and the endogenous form. Exogenous endophthalmitis is associated with either accidental or iatrogenic (postoperative) injury of the eye and inoculation of the organism from the environment. Endogenous endophthalmitis results from hematogenous seeding of the eye. It has been found in about 10% of patients with documented candidemia. Recently, newer studies have shown a decreasing incidence of Candida endophthalmitis, possibly due to an increased awareness of this complication and the initiation of early or empiric antifungal therapy. ^[22] It is important to note that hematogenous candidal endophthalmitis is a marker of disseminated candidiasis.

The patient's history reveals a broad range of manifestations, including the following.

• Eye injury

• Ophthalmic surgery

• Underlying risk factors for candidemia

• Asymptomatic and detected upon physical examination

• Ocular pain

• Photophobia

• Scotomas

• Floaters

Physical examination reveals fever.

Funduscopic examination reveals early pinhead-sized off-white lesions in the posterior vitreous with distinct margins and minimal vitreous haze. Classic lesions are large and off-white, similar to a cotton-ball, with indistinct borders covered by an underlying haze. Lesions are 3-dimensional and extend into the vitreous off the chorioretinal surface. They may be single or multiple.

Renal candidiasis

This is frequently a consequence of candidemia or disseminated candidiasis. The patient’s history includes fever that is unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials. Frequently, patients are asymptomatic and lack symptoms referable to the kidney.

Physical examination findings generally are unremarkable, and the diagnosis is made with a urinalysis and with a renal biopsy. Otherwise, this condition commonly is diagnosed at autopsy.

CNS infections due to Candida species

CNS infections due to Candida species are rare and difficult to diagnose. The 2 primary forms of infection include the exogenous infection and the endogenous infection. The exogenous infection results from postoperative infection, trauma, lumbar puncture, or shunt placement. The endogenous infection results from hematogenous dissemination and thus involves the brain parenchyma and is associated with multiple small abscesses (eg, disseminated candidiasis).

As with other organ infections due to Candida species, patients usually have underlying risk factors for disseminated candidiasis. CNS infections due to Candida species frequently are found in patients hospitalized for long periods in ICUs. The spectrum of this disease includes the following:

• Meningitis

• Granulomatous vasculitis

• Diffuse cerebritis with microabscesses

• Mycotic aneurysms

• Fever unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobials

• Mental status changes

Physical examination reveals the following:

• Fever

• Nuchal rigidity

• Confusion

• Coma

Candida arthritis, osteomyelitis, costochondritis, and myositis

Candidal musculoskeletal infections once were unusual; recently, they have become less so, possibly due to the increased frequency of candidemia and disseminated candidiasis. The most common sites of involvement continue to be the knee and the vertebral column. The pattern of involvement is similar to the pattern observed in bacterial infections. The infection may be divided into exogenous or endogenous forms. The exogenous infection is due to the direct inoculation of the organisms, such as postoperative infection or trauma. Affected sites include the following:

• Ribs and leg bones (patients < 20 y)

• Vertebral column and paraspinal abscess (adulthood)

• Flat bones (any age group)

• Sternum - Generally observed postoperatively after cardiac surgery

The patient frequently is asymptomatic, and the history reveals risk factors typical of disseminated candidiasis, as well as pain localized over the affected site. The physical examination findings frequently are unremarkable but may reveal tenderness over the involved area, erythema, and bone deformity, occasionally in association with a draining fistulous tract.

Arthritis: Candida arthritis generally is a complication of disseminated candidiasis but may be caused by trauma or direct inoculation due to surgery or steroid injections. Most cases are acute and begin as a suppurative synovitis. A high percentage of cases progress to osteomyelitis. In addition, Candida arthritis after joint replacement is not uncommon.

Osteomyelitis: Candida osteomyelitis originates either exogenously or endogenously. The exogenous infection is due to direct inoculation of the organisms via routes such as postoperative infection, trauma, or steroid injections. The endogenous form is a complication of candidemia or disseminated candidiasis. In most cases due to hematogenous seeding, the vertebral disks are involved and frequently progress to discitis with contiguous extension into the vertebrae body. Other bones affected include the wrist, femur, scapula, and proximal humerus.

Costochondritis: This is an uncommon form of infection and also has 2 modes of infection. Candida costochondritis usually is due to hematogenous infection spread or direct inoculation during surgery (median sternotomy). Costochondritis frequently is associated with pain localized over the involved area.

Myositis: Candida myositis is uncommon but is frequently associated with disseminated candidiasis. Most patients are neutropenic and report muscular pain.

Myocarditis-pericarditis

This infection usually is due to direct hematogenous spread in association with candidemia and rarely is due to the direct extension from the sternum or the esophagus. Myocarditis-pericarditis occurs as diffuse abscesses scattered throughout the myocardium surrounded by normal cardiac tissue. In patients with disseminated candidiasis, the rate of Candida myocarditis-pericarditis has been documented as high as 50%. The patient history reveals serious complications in 10-20% of cases without valvular disease. Physical examination reveals fever, hypotension, shock, tachycardia, and new murmurs or rubs (or recent changes in previously detected murmurs).

Candida peritonitis  ^[23]

The patient history frequently reveals an association with gastrointestinal tract surgery, viscous perforation, or peritoneal dialysis. Candida peritonitis tends to remain localized, disseminating into the bloodstream in only 15% of cases. The range of manifestations is broad and includes fever and chills, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The isolation of Candida species from the peritoneal fluid in surgical patients needs to be carefully evaluated.

Physical examination may reveal the following:

• Fever

• Abdominal distention

• Abdominal pain

• Absent bowel sounds

• Rebound tenderness

• Localized mass

Candidasplenic abscess and hypersplenism

Both are manifestations of disseminated candidiasis and are usually simultaneously associated with liver involvement. Manifestations of hypersplenism are common (see Hepatosplenic candidiasis).

Candida cholecystitis

This is uncommon and is generally associated with bacterial cholangitis and ascending cholangitis. In general, Candida cholecystitis is diagnosed at the time of surgery when a culture is obtained.

See History for physical examination findings paired with clinical syndromes.

Over 200 species of Candida exist in nature; thus far, only a few species have been associated with disease in humans.

The medically significant Candida species include the following ^[24] :

• C albicans, the most common species identified (50-60%)

• Candida glabrata (previously known as Torulopsis glabrata) (15-20%)

• C parapsilosis (10-20%)

• Candida tropicalis (6-12%)

• Candida krusei (1-3%)

• Candida kefyr (< 5%)

• Candida guilliermondi (< 5%)

• Candida lusitaniae (< 5%)

• Candida dubliniensis, primarily recovered from patients infected with HIV

• Candida auris

• Candida haemulonii

C glabrata and C albicans account for approximately 70-80% of Candida species recovered from patients with candidemia or invasive candidiasis. C glabrata has recently become very important because of its increasing incidence worldwide, its association with fluconazole resistance in up to 20% of clinical specimens, and its overall decreased susceptibility to other azoles and polyenes.

C krusei is important because of its intrinsic resistance to ketoconazole and fluconazole (Diflucan); it is also less susceptible to all other antifungals, including itraconazole (Sporanox) and amphotericin B.

Another important Candida species is C lusitaniae; although not as common as other Candida species, C lusitaniae is of clinical significance because it may be intrinsically resistant to amphotericin B, although it remains susceptible to azoles and echinocandins.

C parapsilosis is also an important species to consider in hospitalized patients. It is especially common in infections associated with vascular catheters prosthetic devices. Additionally, in vitro analyses have shown that echinocandins have a higher minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C parapsilosis than other Candida species. The clinical relevance of this in vitro finding has yet to be determined. ^[25]

C tropicalis has frequently been considered an important cause of candidemia in patients with cancer (leukemia) and in those who have undergone bone marrow transplantation.

C auris is a globally emerging invasive Candida species with a number of problematic characteristics: it has virulent factors that facilitate infections,  is associated with a high mortality rate and healthcare-associated outbreaks, is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, and if inexperienced, difificult to identify in a routine laboratory. The CDC has issued a global clinical alert for this fungus and has asked laboratories to report C auris cases and to send isolates to state and local health departments and to the CDC. ^[26]  The figures have increased rapidly. Between initial identification and February, 2019, 587 cases of C auris infection had been reported in the United States. In 2022 only, 2377 cases were reported. ^[27]  

A 2020 report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described 3 chronically ill people in New York who were identified as having pan-resistant C auris infection. The report stated that the pan-resistant C auris infection developed after the patients had received antifungal medications, including echinocandins, a class of drugs that targets the fungal cell wall. ^[28]

C haemulonii is another emerging species, closely related to C auris, and has occasionally reported as cause of systemic or invasive candidiasis.