Antibiotic candidiasis
Encyclopedia
Antibiotic candidiasis is a Candidal
infection caused by antibiotic
use.
commonly used for the control of acne
). Consequently, it is now rare for such antibiotics to be prescribed for extended periods. The apparent effect of the antibiotic is to reduce the commensal bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract
, resulting in an environment conducive to the propagation of existing candida
in the absence of any major competition. This situation may remain stable until the patient stops taking the antibiotic, when the bacterial flora re-establish and displace the candida into the genital region of the patient. This can result in redness and itching (thrush
in women and dhobi itch in men) which can last for a similar period to that of the antibiotic course. The rash can be controlled or cured by a suitable antifungal drug
, but the infection is likely to clear up of its own accord in due course (presumably when the original bacterial/fungal balance has been properly restored).
s may reduce the likelihood or severity of antibiotic candidiasis in the same way as they do against antibiotic-associated diarrhea
, so the consumption of probiotic
s during a course of antibiotics may be beneficial on both counts. Logic would suggest that the probiotic
should be taken as long as possible before and after an antibiotic
dose, to avoid destruction by the antibiotic
.
Candida (genus)
Candida is a genus of yeasts. Many species are harmless commensals or endosymbionts of animal hosts including humans, but other species, or harmless species in the wrong location, can cause disease. Candida albicans can cause infections in humans and other animals, especially in immunocompromised...
infection caused by antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
use.
Causes
Antibiotic candidiasis can result from overuse or over-presciption of broad-spectrum antibiotics (such as oxytetracyclineOxytetracycline
Oxytetracycline was the second of the broad-spectrum tetracycline group of antibiotics to be discovered.Oxytetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers...
commonly used for the control of acne
Acne
Acne is a general term used for acneiform eruptions. It is usually used as a synonym for acne vulgaris, but may also refer to:*Acne aestivalis*Acne conglobata*Acne cosmetica*Acne fulminans*Acne keloidalis nuchae*Acne mechanica...
). Consequently, it is now rare for such antibiotics to be prescribed for extended periods. The apparent effect of the antibiotic is to reduce the commensal bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
, resulting in an environment conducive to the propagation of existing candida
Candida (genus)
Candida is a genus of yeasts. Many species are harmless commensals or endosymbionts of animal hosts including humans, but other species, or harmless species in the wrong location, can cause disease. Candida albicans can cause infections in humans and other animals, especially in immunocompromised...
in the absence of any major competition. This situation may remain stable until the patient stops taking the antibiotic, when the bacterial flora re-establish and displace the candida into the genital region of the patient. This can result in redness and itching (thrush
Candidiasis
Thrush redirects here. For the hoof infection see Thrush .Candidiasis or thrush is a fungal infection of any of the Candida species , of which Candida albicans is the most common...
in women and dhobi itch in men) which can last for a similar period to that of the antibiotic course. The rash can be controlled or cured by a suitable antifungal drug
Antifungal drug
An antifungal medication is a medication used to treat fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis , serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis, and others...
, but the infection is likely to clear up of its own accord in due course (presumably when the original bacterial/fungal balance has been properly restored).
Mitigation
There is some evidence that probioticProbiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
s may reduce the likelihood or severity of antibiotic candidiasis in the same way as they do against antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea results from an imbalance in the colonic microbiota caused by antibiotic therapy. Microbiota alteration changes carbohydrate metabolism with decreased short-chain fatty acid absorption and an osmotic diarrhea as a result...
, so the consumption of probiotic
Probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
s during a course of antibiotics may be beneficial on both counts. Logic would suggest that the probiotic
Probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
should be taken as long as possible before and after an antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
dose, to avoid destruction by the antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
.