The Chronic Candidiasis Syndrome Intestinal Candida and its relation to chronic illness

Index to this Page Overview Introduction Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Question & Answer How to get more information and a physician referral list After you are cured.... An important note to those who have been cured References

Candida is a type of yeast, that naturally lives in our stomachs, that can overgrow, and aggregate into fungal colonies that can penetrate the stomach lining, releasing the yeast into the blood where it then migrates throughout the body to skin, in and under nails, and internal organs.  More than ?? percent of people have candida overgrowth.  Both men and women can experience genital candida yeast infections.  Women as a vaginal yeast infection, and men as a fungal infection on testicles, under foreskin, or in the skin of the foreskin area for circumcised men and in the skin of the shaft.

Candida lowers the immune system, and can lead to viral and autoimmune diseases.  Candida and HSV-1 and HSV-2 herpes can appear together in the same lesions and infected tissue, in the mouth, throat, or genitals, or skin.  This can lead to a nasty and chronic flare-up that is difficult to treat; the yeast must be treated along with the herpes.  As both candida and herpes lower the immune system, the double combination makes fighting the infections more difficult.  Candida and HSV6 herpes is also a vicious combination, and is implicated in autism.

When the yeast dies in its natural cycle, it releases the toxin acetaheldehyde.  This is the same chemical that leads to hangovers after drinking alcohol.  

Candida is implicated in autism, crohns disease, chronic fatigue, and is associated with many negative health symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, sinus infections, allergies, poor concentration or "brain fog", mood disorders, especially anxiety and depression.

Treatment for systemic Candida overgrowth involves:

• Removing heavy metals, especially mercury from the body.  This can be done with oral chelation with fulvic and humic acids.
• Antifungal medications.  There are several natural antifungals, however for most cases of systemic candida these are simply not strong enough.  Lamisil is good, but expensive.  Fluconozole can be effective, but Candida quickly mutates and often develops resistance to this, and other anti-fungal medications.  Nystatin is good for getting the fungus out of the intestinal tract, but doesn't pass through the stomach lining into the blood, (which is good because it is toxic in the blood) and so won't affect fungus elsewhere.  Amphocetrin-B is one of the most effective, but can have very dangerous side effects, and must be administered intravenously.  Caspofungin is a newer drug that very effective, and is much safer than Amphocetrin-B.  It also must be injected, and is not easy to purchase (Merck Research Labs), and is not yet FDA approved for Candida treatment.
• Low carb and no sugar diet.  Apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil are recommended.  Garlic oil, grapefruit seed extract, and other natural anti-fungals are not as effective as prescription antifungals, and some may also kill the beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Avoid alcohol as it produces even more acetaldehyde as it breaks down, and further lowers the immune system.
• Probiotics, such as acidopholus, found in yoghurt, to help restore the natural balance of flora in the intestines, and to compete with the yeast.  The best probiotics will implant in the gastrointestinal tract and live there.  These are highly recommended and worth the effort to get.
• Digestive Enzymes have been shown to kill Candida directly, and are synergistic with antifungals.  Recommended especially is papaine and bromelaine.
• Immune system support.  Colostrum has been recommended.

• Ibuprofen
• Minocycline fluconazole plus minocycline
• Berberine
• Stephaniae tetrandrae Radix Extract, which contains tetrandrine.  Alternately pure tetrandrine, but that is costlier and more difficult to obtain.   tetrandine and fluconazole  general tetrandine links
  

• Xylitol sugar, which is eaten by the candida preferentially over sugar but not properly digested, leaving the candida unable to reproduce
• Very young hard green paypa, not yet matured to a red color inside and not yet sweet.  This contains papaya sap.  This is both synergistic with fluconazole and an antifungal.  If you can't obtain this you can use pappain.

Candida in yeast form	Candida in mycelial  form	Candida in it's two forms	Candida from yeast to invasive plaque	Candida penetrating living tissue	Candida can invade most parts of the body

The Chronic Candida syndrome is a series of vague, sometimes seemingly unrelated symptoms. The patient may even be referred to a psychiatrist for their "neurotic condition" and the failure of "modern science" to find a physiological diagnosis. Routine blood tests usually don't reveal anything unusual.

Because of the drastic visual symptoms in patients with systemic Candidiasis, the thought of Candida as a pathogen that can afflict immunocompetent individuals has been somewhat ignored. Candidiasis, and especially intestinal Candida proliferation, has recently come to light as a pathogen that can strike immunocompetent individuals (those who have "normal" immune systems). It has been subject to much debate, lack of understanding and has brought about new thinking and research. The entire etiology of the disorder is not fully understood as of yet, however thousands of patients with chronic illnesses have been helped or cured with antifungal and diet therapy (Cater-1, Cater-2,Crook-1,Crook-2,Truss-1,Resseger,Jenzer,Trowbridge, etc.). Despite all the research and findings, most of the medical community is ignorant of Candida as a pathogen that can affect immunocompetent individuals, and medical students are still misinformed about the real consequences of intestinal Candida in both the immunocompetent and immunocompromised.

There are many factors that may contribute to Candida proliferation in the intestines. The primary contributing factor is the use of oral antibiotics (esp. tetracycline). It is common knowledge that antibiotics, especially over a period of time or with repeated uses, will eliminate much of the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are consequences of the elimination of these important bacteria that compete with other organisms for mucosal epithelial cellular receptor sites. It is recognized by the medical community as a whole that as a result of the elimination of the normal flora defense mechanism, yeasts are allowed to grow excessively in the gut. They may also extend and proliferate in the skin with antibiotic use (Ross). In obviously immunosuppressed patients, antibiotic use often has extreme or even fatal consequences from Candida proliferation due to elimination of the normal flora.

Antibiotics, which are powerless against yeasts, but destroy bacteria, allow yeasts residing in the gut to grow unregulated. The important ecological factors of the gut are often overlooked due to lack of understanding of gastrointestinal immunity. Antibiotics may also allow various strains of bacteria resistant to the specific antibacterial drug to grow excessively, leading to bacterial overgrowth. In this day and age where many physicians increasingly and liberally prescribe oral antibiotics, often unnecessarily, intestinal Candida proliferation is becoming an ever increasing problem. (Have you ever wondered why so many people recently seem to be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?) The treatment of teenage acne with such drugs as tetracycline has been implicated as one of the most important factors in the Chronic Candidiasis Syndrome.

The misunderstanding of the importance of Candida as an affliction of immunocompetent individuals may be the result of several difficulties. First, physicians must learn and retain enormous amounts of information. Patients expect their physician to know everything, which is quite impossible given the massive amounts of published biological and medical literature. New and rare disorders can take months to years to find or may never be diagnosed. Second, the immense use of antibiotics started in the early 80's, and only now is there a large enough population that has used a significant amount of antibiotics to realize possible side effects. Third, the true significance of the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract has only recently been established. Previously, it was associated with old wives tales and sometimes frivolous naturopathic medicine. However with the introduction of antibiotics, diseases like AIDS especially, and the onset of systemic Candidiasis following antibiotic treatment, it can not be ignored. It is now considered an extremely important defense mechanism by leading microbiologists.

The use of steroids (cortisones), birth control pills, antacid and anti-ulcer medications (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, Axid) etc., in addition to antibiotics are also very important contributing factors since Candida proliferates rapidly in the presence of these substances (Crook, Saltarelli, Segal, Minoli, etc. - common knowledge). Modern day diets extremely high in sugars are also blamed for the condition and is quite reasonable given knowledge of microbiology. (Sugars are rapidly metabolized by fungi, esp. yeasts, and prevent the growth of bacteria). In fact, eliminating sugars from the diets of various individuals has been demonstrated to be of equal importance with antifungal therapy, although it certainly can not replace it. Candidiasis is a serious condition and must therefore be seriously considered and treated. Fungal infections of the skin epithelium are generally difficult to eliminate. The intestines, also composed of epithelium, provide a warm, moist, nutrient-rich, environment favorable to Candida growth, especially when provided the above conditions. Unfortunately, some physicians do not have the time to think that because something can't be seen, doesn't mean it's not there.

Candida has also been suggested to play a part in creating what is called a "leaky gut," an unfavorable increase in intestinal permeability. Undigested macromolecule food particles and toxins are allowed to pass directly into the body creating a host of problems. This creates havoc with the immune system when these particles trigger an immune response sensitizing the individual to normally harmless molecules. When this happens, the individual is suggested to become "environmentally sensitive," responding to various harmless inhalants in the environment the person is exposed to as well as various foods. These reactions do not create typical allergic symptoms. Because of the strain on the immune system to break these undigested molecules down, the body's ability to defend against Candida may be further weakened, creating a cycle. These particles may also pass through the blood/brain barrier, be mistaken for neurotransmitters, and produce other mental symptoms that may create a misdiagnosis of neurotic disorder. Research is currently being done at the National Institute for Health to this end.

Candida has been found to produce 79 distinct toxins. These toxins have been shown to cause massive congestion of the conjunctivae (eyelid area), ears, and other parts of the body in rats (Iwata). It is these toxins that are also suggested to be responsible for many of the symptoms that Candida sufferers have as well as the "die off reaction." Certainly, there are other complex complicating factors that are unknown to us at this point which will require further research and funding to find.

The versatility of Candida has been overlooked. It has been considered that only those who are immunosuppressed are susceptible to Candida infections. However, it is known that women who are not immunosuppressed, develop vaginal yeast infections. The only method in which these are diagnosed are by visual signs. Unfortunately, there is no method besides surgical procedures to easily explore the small intestines. Indeed, there have been case reports of gastric candidiasis viewed by upper endoscopy in immunocompetent individuals (Nelson, Minoli). In addition, there has been further research demonstrating that Candida is responsible for and involved in many forms of psoriasis and other dermatosis (Skinner, Crook, James, Oranje, Buslau). There have also been numerous cases of non-immunosuppressed patients who have developed forms of candidiasis (Magnavita, Hussain, Widder, Crook, Kane, Schlossberg, Schwartz, Minoli, etc.). Again, the only reason these patients were diagnosed, was because of visual signs on the exposed mucous membranes or severe symptoms that required surgical procedures. Yeasts are dimorphic organisms. Under malnourished conditions, Candida can convert from its normal budding form to its mycelial form in which the cells are elongated and attached at the ends, allowing it to grow into different areas. Resistance to phagocytosis in its mycelial form is considered to be an important part in the pathogenicity of Candida.

Many physicians try to compare the immunology of the gastrointestinal tract to that of other organs and systems in the body including the circulatory system. They simply recall being told in medical school that candidiasis affects the severely immunosuppressed only and fail to think beyond. As any competent physician should know, the immunology of the gastrointestinal tract functions separately as local immunity, the weakest of all immunological activity. Immunoglobulin G has practically no significance in gastrointestinal immunity and the activity of Immunoglobulin A (to help prevent binding to mucosal cells) is under question. "The lumen of the gastrointestinal tract is actually outside the body" and needs to be judged accordingly Shorter, etc.). The primary defense mechanisms of the intestines are acidity and motility. Although obviously not entirely true today, but still with validity, E. Metchnikoff, in his book, The Nature of Man published in 1908 (Putnam) felt that toxins absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract were the cause of most of the problems aquired by humans. Because of the local immunity and the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, it is source of a vast number of human afflictions.

The average physician, when questioned about candidiasis, might look in a patient's mouth for signs of massive proliferation and/or just outright tell the patient they don't have it because there are no extreme visual signs. The doctor may also refer to a patient's complete blood count (on routine blood testing) telling the patient that they are not immunosuppressed, therefore they don't have it. This serves as an example of how textbook minded many doctors are. These symptoms are only demonstrative of the massive infections seen in AIDS and cancer patients where the immune system is suppressed and not localized intestinal Candida proliferation. In addition, the gastrointestinal immune response functions separately from the systemic immune response. The Chronic Candida Syndrome, despite much speculation, does not require a defective or depressed immune response to affect an individual. Rather, it is primarily a consequence of other favorable conditions.

The second argument is that "yeast in the intestines is normal and harmless." The statement is that, "yeast can be recovered from the stool of healthy individuals." However no mention has been made of the effects of proliferated yeast in the intestines and what amount is normal. The colon is home to many pathogenic organisms in healthy individuals, including parasites in 5-10% of the population that physicians wouldn't dare say are harmless if proliferated (A.N.Y.A.S.). No conclusive studies have been performed demonstrating that intestinal yeast proliferation is harmless. In fact, studies have shown the exact opposite. As any woman who has had a vaginal yeast infection knows, it can certainly create quite a problem. It is preposterous to state that heavy growth of yeasts in the intestines, another mucous membrane, is meaningless. Anyone who has had diarrhea from antibiotics will certainly know this as well. Unlike in a woman's vagina, yeasts are provided a perfect environment with enough food and sugars to create rapid proliferation.

The contributing factor to the reluctance of the medical community as a whole to accept the syndrome is the lack of a absolute definitive scientific proof of the Candida/human interaction. There has also been an extreme lack of complete widely published case reports of those who have been cured with anti-yeast therapy. The treatment has preceded some of the research, and its success in many individuals is proof in itself of the Candida/human interaction. Furthermore, failure of doctors to request proper growth medium or request the use of a gram stain and direct microscopic observation to identify the presence of yeast in stool specimens has also contributed to a lack of diagnosis. In addition, many labs consider yeast a "normal flora" and do not report it unless it is specifically asked for. Other potentially hazardous bacteria are also part of the normal flora when not in excess, however parts of the medical community still choose to ignore yeast proliferation despite the facts.

There are still many more reasons lingering why perhaps there is such a reluctance to accept the syndrome:

1. Widespread acceptance of the yeast syndrome will make many doctors who have misdiagnosed these patients appear ignorant.
2. Symptoms of candidiasis can be a big money maker and doctors legally have an excuse not to treat you since as of yet, there is no definitive lab test capable of an absolute diagnosis.
3. The enormous repercussions of the liberal use of antibiotics and the ignorance involved will put many doctors at fault.

Candidiasis and Allergies

The significance of allergies in patients suffering with the Chronic Candidiasis Syndrome, along with increasing data, has lead to a different perspective. An allergy to Candida would promote its destruction in the host. Several studies have demonstrated the significance of IgE antibodies in the defense against Candida (Saltarelli). IgE antibodies are those primarily associated with allergies. It has been found that individuals with systemic candidiasis have an average of nearly a 2000% increase in IgE to Candida. In patients with vaginal candidiasis, and average of over a 1000% increase of IgE to Candida was seen.

The results of these studies suggest several things:

1. IgE antibody plays a significant role in defense against Candida.
2. Individuals lacking in IgE to Candida (perhaps due to allergies) may have a lower defensive ability against Candida.
3. Since IgE's in patients with candidiasis were also elevated to other antigens, this would suggest that candidiasis may increase allergic responsiveness.

Finally and most importantly, the disruption in IgE production in patients with allergies may suggest that these patients, as a result of allergies, have a compromised IgE response to Candida.

Samples of Published Medical Research

Candidiasis Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This was a report of anti-candida therapy on 1100 patients presenting symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritabel Bowel Syndrome, headaches, allergic disorders, emotional disturbances (depression, panica attacks, irritability, and anxiety), etc.

After 3 to 12 months of treatment with ketoconazol and a no sugar, no alcohol diet, a major reduction in symptoms was seen in 84% of the patients. "In September of 1987, 685 of the 1100 patients were on disability; in April of 1989, only 12 of the 1100 were on disability."

James G. Kane, Jane H. Chretien, and Vincent F. Garagusi of the Infectious Disease Service , Department of Medicine, Georgetown Universtiy Hospital, Washington, D.C. reported on six cases of chronic, persistent, diarrhea, sometimes associated with abdominal cramps, caused by candida. Five of the individuals had no underlying condition and the symptoms lasted as long as three months until treatment was begun. Blood tests were unremarkable and they report that yeast in stools was best identified by direct microscopic observation. "Symptoms disappeeared in 3 to 4 days of oral nystatin therapy."

It is interesting that after 20 years since the publication of this material, most physicians do not request yeast identification in stools, nor do many labs routinely report its presence or quantity unless specifically requested.

A comment from a 1988 report published in Digestion entitled Dead fecal yeasts and chronic diarrhea follows:

"The authors report 20 patients in whom a large number of dead or severely damaged yeast cells, supposedly Candida albicans yeasts, were the possible cause of chronic recurrent diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It is suggested that the presence of large numbers of these microorganisms in stools may be considered among the possible etiologies of diarrhea in the "irritable bowel syndrome." The possible source of these yeast-like cells, the causes of cell damage, and the mechanisms by which these organisms may induce diarrhea should be investigated." (Caselli)

Candida has also been shown to cause severe diarrhea in debilitated elderly patients. Despite this, many physicians remain unaware while their patients suffer with diarrhea. (Gupta, Danna)

Intestinal Yeast Causes Psoriasis

Nancy Crutcher, M.D., E. William Rosenberg, M.D., Patricia W. Belew, PhD, Robert B. Skineer, Jr., M.D., N. Fred Eaglstein,D.O. of the University of Tenessee Center for the Health Sciences, 956 Court Ave. Room 3C13, Memphis, TN, and Sidney M. Baker, M.D. of New Have, Connecticut report on 4 cases of long term, bodily psoriasis (10-25 years) cured with oral nystatin within several months. Nystatin, a weak antifungal drug, primarily targets intestinal yeast.

As published in the Acta Derm Venereol in 1994:

Robert B. Skionner, Jr., E. William Rosenberg, and Patricia W. Noah report results of studies that demonstrate that psoriasis of the palms is frequently associated with Candida. 7 out of 9 patients were cured or substantially improved after treatment with anti-fungal drugs.

There have also been numerous other studies published that have correlated dermatological diseases with Candida of the skin and gastrointestinal tract (too numerous to list - see references below). One might think that the publication of such information would provoke nothing less than a revolution in medicine. However, obviously, this has not been the case. Some have considered the loss of profits from psoriasis patients as a foctor.

It is also known that HIV infected patients have a high rate of seborrheic dermatitis. "There is an increasing controversy about the significance of Pityrosporum in seborrheic dermatitis. On the other hand, recent clinical evidence and experimental data favor the role of intestinal candidiasis in seborrheic dermatitis: a high quantity of Candida in the feces of the affected patients, elevated phospholipase activity of the Candida sp. with special pathogenic relevance for mucosal adhesion and fast and long-lasting regression of seborrheic dermatitis after vigorous therapy with oral nystatin. Similar findings have been recorded in the seborrheic forms of psoriasis." (Oranje)

An abstract about infantile seborrheic dermatitis follows:

"Infantile seborrheic dermatitis (ISD), a disease occurring in the first months of life, is an erythromatosquamous skin disease of unknown origin. This article represents results of microbial studies in 20 patients with ISD. Isolation of candida in high percentage may indicate a preliminary role of this micro-organism in the etiology of this disease. It is striking that this disease often starts after disturbing the microbial flora of the intestinal tract. Often ISD develops during the transition of breastfeeding to humanized cow milk." (3L)

The physician responsible for highly publicizing the Candida syndrome is Dr. William G. Crook, M.D. with the following two books:

• The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough. Professional Books, Jackson Tennessee.
  ISBN#0-933478-06-02 Library of Congress Catalog Number:83-62508
• The Yeast Connection and the Woman. Professional Books, Jackson Tennessee
  (NOT JUST FOR THE WOMAN)
  

It is important to note that many doctors, including Dr. Crook who have had the ambition to write about the yeast disorder are ecologists. Some of the information they present is "extremely far from acceptable." These books do not represent all the opinions of other doctors who acknowledge and know of the syndrome. They just represent the ideas of the doctors who have had the motivation to write about their findings. Most books about the Candida syndrome are written for the patient and do not include much in the line of the science behind the syndrome. One must turn to hard to obtain, but nevertheless existent case studies and research for scientific foundation. Many of the statements in these books about recovering patients only mention that "the patient felt much better" and do not mention concrete changes in symptoms. This may be an additional problem in the lack of widespread acceptance.

Dr. Crook, president of the International Health Foundation, has tried to report all the possibilities behind the syndrome, as well as information he collects from physicians and patients who have dealt with the Candida problem. It is important to note that his book does not carry all the information behind the syndrome and opinions may vary among the doctors treating it, as research in the syndrome is continuing.

Symptoms

Please note that these symptoms may seem vast and broad ranging. It is the presence of multiple symptoms and not a single symptom that may be an indicator of candidiasis. The following symptoms from Dr. Crook's book have gone beyond what research has commonly shown symptoms of candidiasis to be to provide a broader range of possibilities. Please note the references to medical studies and the list of most common symptoms of candidiasis following Dr. Crook's list if this information is not to be used for experimental purposes.

• Fatigue or lethargy
• Feeling of being drained
• Depression or manic depression
• Numbness, burning, or tingling
• Headaches
• Muscle Aches
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Pain and/or swelling in joints
• Abdominal Pain
• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Bloating, belching or intestinal gas
• Women - Troublesome vaginal burning, itching or discharge
• Prostatitis
• Impotence
• Loss of sexual desire or feeling
• Endometriosis or infertility
• Cramps and/or other menstrual irregularities
• Premenstrual tension
• Attacks of anxiety or crying
• Cold hands or feet, low body temperature
• Hypothroidism
• Shaking or irritable when hungry
• Cystitis or interstitial cystitis

• Drowsiness
• Irritability
• Incoordination
• Frequent mood swings
• Insomnia
• Dizziness/loss of balance
• Pressure above ears...feeling of head swelling
• Sinus problems...tenderness of cheekbones or forehead
• Tendency to bruise easy
• Eczema, itching eyes
• Psoriasis
• Chronic hives (urticaria)
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Sensitivity to milk, wheat, corn or other common foods
• Mucous in stools
• Rectal itching
• Dry mouth or throat
• Mouth rashes including :white" tongue
• Bad breath
• Foot, hair, or body odor not relieved by washing
• Nasal congestion or post nasal drip
• Nasal itching
• Sore throat
• Laryngitis, loss of voice
• Cough or recurrent bronchitis
• Pain or tightness in chest
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Urinary frequency or urgency
• Burning on urination
• Spots in front of eyes or erratic vision
• Burning or tearing eyes
• Recurrent infections or fluid in ears
• Ear pain or deafness

• Inability to concentrate
• Skin problems (hives, athlete's foot, fungous infection of the nails, jock itch, psoriasis (including of the scalp) or other chronic skin rashes)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, or bloating)
• Symptoms involving your reproductive organs
• Muscular and nervous system symptoms (including aching or swelling in your muscles and joints, numbness, burning or tingling, muscle weakness or paralysis)
• Recurrent ear problems resulting in antibiotic therapy
• Respiratory symptoms
• Lupus
• Hyperactivity/Attention Deficit Disorder
• Recurrent yeast infections in women

Symptoms dominantly ascribed to intestinal Candida and symptoms published in research

Physical

• High sugar foods will drastically increase your symptoms. - This is a primary diagnostic tool.
• Inflammation of the hair follicles (candidiasis folliculitis) of various parts of the body (feet, legs, arms)
• Extreme lethargy
• Diarrhea, chronic gas, abdominal cramps alleviated by bowel movements. Perhaps labeled with the term "irritable bowel syndrome."
• Lactose intolerance
• Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder
• Allergies and allergy symptoms, chemical sensitivities
• Panic attacks
• Sinus problems
• Eye fatigue
• Muscle weakness and bone pain
• White tongue and a white coating
• Psoriasis/seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff, dry, itchy skin
• Rectal itching
• Frequent yeast infections in women
• Frequent urination
• Swollen lips/face
• Symptoms worse after waking
• Facial rash
• Avoiding food helps to alleviate symptoms
• Hives
• Chronic inflammation and irritation of the eye and conjunctivae.

Psychological

• Feeling oven being intoxicated which leads to a "hangover feeling"
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Many patients with the Candida Syndrome begin to feel that minute chemicals are responsible for their problems. They may have unnecessarily began eliminating certain foods from their diet and be concerned about the water they drink because they feel it contributes to their problems.

Candida may truly be one of the most important pathogens today.

Diagnosis

One of the best determining factors is whether sugar triggers symptoms. This can be done with challenges or elimination.

Finding an accurate diagnostic method is currently the focus of much research.

Possible means of lab diagnostic procedures are as follows:

• Serum or urine D-arabinitol levels
  • This is a Candida carbohydrate metabolite that is also a neurotoxin. You may have difficulty finding a lab that will do this.(5,6)

   

• Serum Candida IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody levels will not be definitive since the body's ability to defend against Candida is limited due to its position in the gastrointestinal tract. Positive or negative responses are difficult to interpret. As mentioned above, Candida IgE may help in diagnosis.

   

• Stool exams for chronic intestinal candidiasis
  
  • Your doctor may not know, but yeast in routine stool exams is not reported unless specifically requested! A gram stain for yeast along with direct microscopic examination is the most accurate diagnostic tool for Candida. This will avoid quantification inaccuracies that appear with cultures.
  • Negative or positive responses on cultures are inconclusive. Positive stool results are dependant on shedding of Candida from the intestinal walls. Culture negative results can also be the result of the yeast dieing before it can be cultured or improper selection of growth medium. It is also suggested (by Leo Galland, M.D.) that in advanced cases, the sigmoid colon produces a chemical preventing yeast from growing on normal culture medium, therefore he recommends direct microscopic observation and special staining.
  • It is imperative that the patient do the stool collection at home at a time when their symptoms are worst. Several stool analyses should be performed as many physicians know the difficulties in finding a particular pathogen in any given sample.
  • The patient must not take antifungal drugs 3 days prior to providing a stool specimen.

   

• Presence of oral thrush/white coating on the tongue
  
  • This is thick patches of growth on the tongue and other areas of the mouth that can be scraped off. This is suggested to be normal in many people, but excessive growth may be an indication, especially if it increases with your symptoms.
  • A culture may be considered if this is present.

   

• Blood alcohol content over a period of 24 hours with sugar intake.
  • Obviously, the patient should avoid alcoholic beverages/medications prior to doing this test. Any level other than zero may indicate a problem.

Of course, it is important to rule out other common disorders that could lead to the symptoms mentioned above.

Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory offers the most comprehensive candida analysis and has references to physicians that use their services.

IDL - Immuno Diagnostic Laboratories also offer comprehensive and unique testing. A list of services they provide to physicians can be obtained by contacting them at:

10930 Bridge Street
San Leandro, CA 945777

Phone: 510-635-4555

Treatment

There are primarily two goals in the treatment of chronic candidiasis syndrome:

1. Destruction of yeast proliferation in the body.
2. Reduction of the factors providing a favorable environment for the growth of yeasts.

It is important to note that for the first few weeks of treatment, your symptoms will become worse as you will face "die off" reactions from the yeast cells releasing their contents as they are broken down by the antifungal drugs. This is commonly seen as headache and lethargy.

I have tried to include some proven natural aids. Many people who suffer from this disorder have learned not to rely on science to help them. However, I don't know of any cases of well documented successful treatment without prescription antifungal drugs. Treatment can take several months before optimal effects begin.

Treatment consists of:

 

1. Prescription antifungal drugs:

    

   • Lamisil (Terbinafine HCl), Diflucan (Fluconazole) , Sporanox (Itraconazole), Nystatin.
     

      

   • Lamisil has just been introduced and offers hope in that it is not just fungistatic (stops growth of fungi), but also fungicidal (kills fungi). Lamisil may replace Diflucan as the number one choice. About 30% of Lamisil is unabsorbed leaving about 75mg of the tablet to pass through the intestines. Lamisil and Diflucan are extremely safe and effective. A single dose of 150 mg Diflucan can cure a yeast infection in women. However, its activity in the intestines may not be as significant. Various yeasts are resistant to it as well as Sporanox, most notably, Candida krusei. Liver function problems with Lamisil, like Diflucan, are also rare. Nystatin is the weakest antifungal and many yeast are resistant to it. Prescription antifungal drugs are a NECESSARY part in treatment. Natural antifungal products are far too weak to have any significant effect or else they would be used in cases of severe mycosis. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) levels from Candida in stool will be helpful to determine susceptibility of the Candida a patient is carrying to the various antifungal drugs.

     Despite past experiences with the older antifungals such as amphotericine ketoconazole, etc., liver toxicity with Lamisil and Diflucan is extremely rare and these drugs can be considered safe, which is very exciting to many physicians who understand this problem. Sporanox is as well, although to a slightly lesser extent. If concern is raised over possible side effects, frequent liver function testing, especially in long term usage or in the case of past liver complications, will be helpful.

    

    

2. Antibiotic, hormone, and antacid/anti-ulcer medication avoidance Avoid all antibiotics and cortisones (steroids), topical and oral, unless absolutely necessary. Small amounts of these can have dramatic effects. Antacids and anti-ulcer drugs have been shown to predispose Candida proliferation.

    

   • This includes topical and oral acne medications containing antibiotics-if you do have candidiasis, these have the potential of making your condition worse.
   • Candida overgrowth is frequently associated with the growth of various other pathogens that may require antibiotic treatment. Of course, MIC's should be performed to determine the most effective antibacterial.
   • Avoid antibacterial deodorants (baking soda works good), soaps, (and hand soaps) containing antibiotics, usually triclosan. Antibacterial soaps are mainly the result of paranoia, are unnecessary, and have the potential of breeding resistant bacteria. In addition, exposure to small amounts of pathogenic bacteria is helpful in sensitizing the immune system.
   • If you have an allergic skin reaction, you do not need steroids. Topical or oral benadryl is best despite what some doctors may tell you. The purpose of cortisones is to aid in healing and reduction of inflammation. However, cortisones do not attack the source of the inflammation, histamine.
   • Bacterial skin infections do not always require the use of oral antibiotics and you may try topical antibiotics if necessary.
   • As a note, 80% of throat infections are viral and do not require antibiotics.

    

    

3. Complex sugar and carbohydrate dietary reduction and protein increase Intake of dense complex sugars in the diet MUST be eliminated completely! The reason for sure failure of treatment is the misunderstanding of how important it is to remove these complex sugars from the diet. It is important to remember that sugars are sugars, whether from natural sources or cane sugar. Antifungal drugs will not be successful without removing sugars from the diet. This includes all sweetened drinks & soda, fruits and fruit drinks, corn syrups, and other high sugar containing products. Past publications have emphasized the fact that Candida ferments and rapidly proliferated in the presence of simple sugars. Not only is this the case, but research has shown that sugars dramatically increase the ability of Candida to adhere to epithelial mucosa cells and may be one of the most important factor in the chronic states of gastrointestinal Candidiasis (Saltarelli).

   Be sure to READ YOUR LABELS!!!!

   Complex carbohydrates/polysaccharides (starches) and even disaccharides (sucrose - table sugar, lactose, sometimes fructose, etc.) can pass far down the gastrointestinal tract before they are broken down into glucose molecules and absorbed. Candida has been suggested to reside and proliferate further down the gastrointestinal tract. Complex sugars and polysaccharides can therefore be made available to Candida (Chan, common knowledge). High protein diets and elimination of concentrated sweet sugars will help avoid this. Monosaccharides such as glucose (especially) and dextrose (an isomer of glucose) are readily absorbed in the duodenum (at the beginning of the small intestines) Glucose can even be absorbed in the stomach. Small amounts of lactose (milk sugar) in fermented sources may actually be helpful - see below.

   On the other hand, it is still unknown whether Candida can dominantly proliferate in the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with the Candida Syndrome. In that case, complex carbohydrate (starch only) consumption would be favorable since Candida can not directly use long chain carbohydrates, which would pass farther down the gastrointestinal tract. Fungi and yeasts are generally tolerant to the low pH environment found in and near the stomach (Tortora).

    

    

   • Increase dietary protein and reduce carbohydrates. If your doctor lets you try an antifungal drug, I recommend a protein only diet along with the medication a couple days a week. YES - it is going to be difficult, but it is the rest of your life at stake!! It is not necessary nor recommended to eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet. In fact, a high protein diet can backfire on you in three respects - 1. The break down of proteins produces ammonia, creating a basic environment favorable to yeast; 2. Undigested proteins that are absorbed through the consequential "leaky gut" can put an excess strain on your immune system; and 3. Carbohydrates are not only necessary for energy, but also provide food for your normal intestinal flora. Without feeding your normal flora, they will die allowing further proliferation of candida. A summary of the sugar and carbohydrate content of various products, as well as helpful guidelines of what to eat and what to avoid, is available by clicking HERE.

    

    

4. Probiotics Much controversy surrounds the role of the normal flora. However, their role in preventing Candida infection can not be ignored. Since the major contributing factor to Candida proliferation is the elimination of the normal flora, it is absolutely necessary for restoration of these colonies. As intestinal yeast colonies are destroyed by antifungal drugs, it is important that they be replaced by normal intestinal bacteria to help prevent recolonization by Candida. You can not use normal flora to cure intestinal Candida, only to prevent.

   As stated above, it is well known that the most common reason women get vaginal yeast infections and immunosuppressed patients develop systemic candidiasis is due to the elimination of normal flora (as most women know if they have ever been on courses of antibiotics). This ecology factor in yeast infections can not be disputed. These bacteria don't just "crowd out" intestinal yeast, but they also produce factors such as lactic acid (from lactose), formic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide that help to provide an environment and pH unfavorable to yeasts. Unfortunately, you can not use probiotics to eliminate intestinal Candida because the intestines are subject to colonization only when the walls are lacking a dominant colonizing species.

    

   Click here to learn more important information about probiotics.

    

    

5. The elimination of yeast containing foods was previously suggested when it was thought that the syndrome was from an allergy to yeasts, as there appears to be some cross reactivity in the antigenic determinants of food yeasts and Candida. As stated above, food yeasts do not carry the ability of pathogenic yeasts to colonize mucous membranes. In fact, consuming large quantities of yeast containing foods may actually help stimulate Candida antibody production as they may share similar epitopes. (The epitope is the part of an antigen in which the antibody recognizes.)

    

    

6. Treating Candida related intestinal permeability problems (the leaky gut).
   • First, you will need to start a rotation diet after you have eliminated sugars from your diet and have started antifungal medications. This is to help determine what foods you might be hyper-sensitive to and that have the potential of creating the most problems as they pass through the inflamed area of the Candida infected intestines and provoke an immune response. Second, intradermal allergy (difficult to have done) testing will help you determine which foods to avoid. Skin prick testing will primarily yield results from IgE responses and not from IgG antibodies (which results from intestinal permeability problems).

      

      

   • DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) DGL is derived from licorice and has been demonstrated to aid in the production of intestinal mucosa, the primary defense mechanisms in the GI tract.

    

7. Glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) Numerous studies have shown that glucosamine, a derivitive of chitin from fungal cells, has the ability to prevent the binding of Candida to epithelial mucosa cells (Saltarelli). It has also been suggested to directly aid in restoration of the mucosa. This is available in many nutrition stores, and may be derived from other sources.

    

    

8. Concanavolin A This is a lectin (a special type of protein) that has also demonstrated to reduce the adhesive ability of Candida. It is found in soybean agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin, and jack beans (toxic unless cooked).

    

    

9. Digestive enzyme supplements will help to 1. aid in more complete digestion, possibly alleviating the absorption of undigested food particles; and 2. They will aid in absorption in the upper GI tract so as to prevent undigested food from reaching the lower bowel where most candida is suggested to reside.

    

    

10. Low residue diet Because most yeast lives in the lower bowel, a diet limiting the amount of residue will help limit the growth of Candida.
    • Avoiding foods which are difficult to digest and may remain unabsorbed.
    • Digestive enzyme supplements as stated above.

     

     

11. Natural antifungals - undecylenic acid, gentian violet, caprylic acid, garlic, etc. These have been determine to have limited antifungal action and are available in many nutrition stores. However, I will reserve judgment because some may also have antibiotic action, especially garlic, which can prove detrimental in chronic intestinal yeast. Undecylenic acid was used as an antifungal agent before many of the new synthetic drugs were introduced. Of course, they do not carry anywhere near the potency of prescription antifungal agents.
    

     

     

12. Alcohol avoidance.

Whether fiber therapy may help or actually do harm is speculative. One of the primary defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal tract is intestinal motility. Problems with intestinal motility can create an environment favorable for micro-organisms to proliferate.

Question & Answer

A. No, antifungal drugs function by preventing the production of cell cholesterols, primarily ergestorol. Sterols are a component of eukaryotic cells and not prokaryotic bacteria. Sterols are an important component of eukaryotic cell membranes. The lack of sterol production causes collapse of the cell membrane and the cell contents to spill.

Q. How long will I need to stay on antifungal drugs and diet therapy?

A. Just as fungal infections are difficult to eliminate from the skin, there are equally or more to eliminate from the gastrointestinal tract, often requiring more than 3 months of therapy, also depending on dietary sugar and carbohydrate intake. While a significant reduction in symptoms will often be seen in less than a few weeks, it is important to continue therapy until symptoms are eliminated.

Q. I have seen over the counter products for treating candidiasis. Can I use natural or alternative medicine to cure candidiasis syndrome?

A. No, these products have no scientific foundation and simply take advantage of the individual desperate to regain their health.

Q. I have been diagnosed with the Candidiasis Syndrome, have tried several antifungal drugs, have eliminated dietary sugars, and have had no success. What now?

A. With no clear cut definition of diagnosis of Candidiasis Syndrome, besides possibly d-arabinitol testing, a diagnosis can not be suggested without success in treatment. It is unlikely that you have the Candidiasis Syndrome and you should look elsewhere. Candidiasis Syndrome is not the cause of all unknown illnesses.

When you are cured

It is also important to maintain your diet and health such that yeasts will not return. This includes eating healthy and nutritional awareness, vitamin and mineral supplements, and exercise. Finally, make sure you try and maintain your host of normal flora in the intestines.

For some important advice concerning this, click Here

How to Get More Information and a Doctor Referral List

You may write the IHF at:

The International Health Foundation
P.O. Box 3494
Jackson, TN 38303

or call:

Voice:901-427-8100
Fax:901-423-5402

If you are or you know of a physician who is interested in yeast related illnesses and who would like to obtain further information on diagnosis and treatment protocols, please write or call the IHF.

There is also a mailing list for the discussion of yeast related disorders. To subscribe send a message with SUBSCRIBE YEAST-L [Your Full Name] (with no brackets around your name) to Listserv@PSUHMC.HMC.PSU.EDU.

---

Candida Biology Links & Information Sources

There is a mailing list for Candida research discussion. To subscribe, send an email message to "listproc@stonebow.otago.ac.nz" with the following text in the body of the message:

subscribe candidanews your-name

Nb your-name is your real name (e.g. Jane Smith) and will help identify you if you have a cryptic email address. Nb you must turn off your email 'signature' when subscribing to the mailing list.

HOW TO SEND MAIL TO THE LIST

Send the email message, in the main body of the message, to "candidanews@stonebow.otago.ac.nz" Use the subject line to give a general indication, in less than 30 characters if possible, of the content of the message. Your message will be sent to the other "candidanews" list subscribers within a couple of hours. You will automatically receive all the messages sent by other subscribers.

HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE

If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, send an email message to "listproc@stonebow.otago.ac.nz" with the following text in the body of the message:

unsubscribe candidanews

The "candidanews" list is administered by:

 

Richard Cannon, PhD

Department of Oral Biology and Oral Pathology

University of Otago

P.O. Box 647

Dunedin, New Zealand

If you would like to know more about the mailing list please email:

Richard.Cannon@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

 

Candida Biology Links

• Candida Albicans Information Page
• Macrophage Phagocytosis of Candida albicans

  ---

  References and Suggestions for Further Reading

  Iwata, K.; Yamamoto, Y. Glycoprotein Toxins Produced by Candida albicans. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the Mycoses, PAHO Scientific Publication #356, June 1977.

  Quiralte, J.; Blanco, C.; Esparaza, R.; Castillo, R. Carrillo, T. Nasal Candidiasis in an Immunocompetent Patient. Allergologia et Immunopathologia. 21(6):227-8, 1993 Nov.-Dec.

  Magnavita, N. Mucocutaneous candidiasis in exposure to biological agents: a clinical case. Medicina del Lavoro. 84(3):243-8, 1993 May-Jun. (in Italian)

  Gutierrez, J.; Maroto, C.; Piedrola, G.; Martin, E.; Perez, JA. Circulating Candida antigens and antibodies: useful markers of candidemia. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 31(9):2550-2, 1993 Sep.

  Walsh, TJ.; Lee, JW.; Sien, T.; Schaufele, R.; Bacher, J.; Switchenko, AC.; Goodman, TC.; Pizzo, PA. Serum D-arabinitol measured by automated quantitative enzymatic assay for detection and therapeutic monitoring of experimental disseminated candidiasis: correlation with tissue concentrations of Candida albicans. Journal of Medical & Veterinary Mycology. 32(3):205-15, 1994.

  Switchenko, AC. Miyada, CG. Goodman, TC. Walsh, TJ. Wong, B. Becker, MJ Ullman, EF. An automated enzymatic method for measurement of D-arabinitol, a metabolite of pathogenic Candida species. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 32(1):92-7, 1994 Jan.

  Hussain, G.; Galahuddin, N.; Ahmad, I.; Galahuddin, I.; Jooma, R. Rhinocerebral invasive mycosis: occurrence in immunocompetent individuals. European Journal of Radiology. 20(2):151-5, 1995 Jul.

  Cater, RE., 2nd Chronic candidiasis as a possible etiological factor in the chronic fatigue syndrome. Medical Hypotheses. 44(0):507-15 Jun. 1995

  Crook, WG. The Yeast Connection Professional Books, Jackson Tennessee

  Crook, WG. The Yeast Connection and the Woman. Professional Books, Jackson Tennessee

  Widder, RA.; Bartz-Schmidt, KU.; Geyer, IL.; Brunner, R.; Kirchhof, B.; Donike, M.; Ileinmann, K. Candida albicans endophthalmitis after anabolic steroid abuse (letter). Lancet. 345(8945):330-1, 1995 Feb 4.

  Ross, VE.; Baxter, DL. Widespread Candida Folliculitis in a Nontoxic Patient. Cutis. 49(1):241-243, 1992 April.

  Cater, RE. Somatization disorder and the chronic candidiasis syndrome: a possible overlap. Medical Hypotheses. 35:126-135, 1991.

  Kroker, GF. Chronic Candidiasis and Allergy. In: Brosteff J.; Challacombe SJ.;eds. Food Allergy and Intolerance. London:Baillierre Tindall, 1989: ch. 49.

  Kirkpatrick, CH.; Smith, TK. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: immunologic and antibiotic therapy. Annals of Internal Medicaine. 80: 310-320, 1974.

  Dismukes, WE., Way, JS., Lee, JY., Dockery, B.K., Hain, J.D., A randomized double-blind trial of nystatin therapy for the candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine. 323:1717-23, 1990.

  Bennett, JE. Searching for the yeast connection. New England Journal of Medicine. 323:1766-67, 1990.

  Zwerling, MH., Owens, KN., Ruth, NH. Think yeast-the expanding spectrum of candidiasis. Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association. 80:454-456, 1984.

  Truss, CO. The Missing Diagnosis. (out of print) Avaiable for $8.95 + $5.00(1st class U.S., Canada) or $2.50(4th class U.S. only) shipping and handling by writing: The Missing Diagnosis, P.O. Box 26508, Birmingham, AL 35226

  Truss, CO. The role of candida albicans in human illness. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychology. 10:228-238, 1981.

  Truss, CO. Tissue injury induced by candida albicans. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychology. 7(1)

  Truss, CO. Restoration of immunologic competence to candida albicans. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychology. 9(4)

  Truss, CO. Metabolic abnormalities in patients with chronic candidiasis: the acetaldehyde hypothesis. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychology. 13(2):66-93

  Bodey, G., Fainstein, V., Garcia, I., Rosenbaum, B., Wong, Y. Effect of broad-spectrum cephalosporins on the microbial flora of recipients. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 148:892-897, 1983.

  Giuliano, M., Barza, M., Jacobus, N., Gorbach, S. Effect of broad spectrum antibiotics on composition of intestinal microflora of humans. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 202-206, 1987.

  Gracey, M., Burke, V., Thomas, J. Stone, D. Effect of microorganisms isolated from the upper gut of malnourished children on intestinal sugar absorption in vivo The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 28:841-845, 1975.

  Eras, P., Goldstein, M., Sherlock, P. Candida infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Medicine 51(5):367-379, 1972.

  Trowbridge, J.P., Walker, M. The Yeast Syndrome. Bantam Books. New York, 1986.

  Hotopf, Matthew. Seasonal affective disorder, environmental hypersensitivity and somatisation. British Journal of Psychiatry. 164: 246-248, Feb. 1994.

  Keith, Sehnert W. Candida-related complex (CRC), a complicating factor in treatment and diagnostic screening for alcoholics: A pilot study of 213 patients. International Journal of Biosocial and Medical Research. 13(1):67-76, 1991.

  Rogers, Sherry A. Healing from the inside out: The leaky gut syndrome. Let's Live. 63(4):34-38, Apr 1995.

  Neuro-Immunophysiology of the Gastrointestinal Mucosa. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 664, 1992

  Shorter, RB. Kirsner, JB. Gastrointestinal Immunity for the Clinician. Grune & Stratton, Inc., Orlando, FL. 1985

  Murray, F. Acidophilus fights fungal infections. Better Nutrition for Today's Living. 56(5):54-55, May 1994

  Palmer, CA. A yeast for all reasons or is candidiasis the hidden enemy? Nutrition Today. 28(3)24-29, May 1993

  Yeast can destroy friendly bacteria. USA Today: The Magazine of the AMerican Scene. 122(2585):6-7, Feb. 1994

  Hentges, David J. Human intestinal microflora in health and disease. Academic Press: NY, 1983

  Hill, MJ. Role of gut bacteria in human toxicology and pharmacology. Taylor & Francis: Bristol, PA, 1995.

  Rowland, IR. Role of the gut flora in toxicity and cancer. Academic Press:San Diego, 1988

  Brostoff, J. Challacombe, SJ. Food Allergy and Intolerance. Bailliere Tindall: Philadelphia.

  Winner, HI. Hurley, R. Symposium on Candida Infections. E & S Livingstione LTD: London, 1966

  James, J. Warin, RP. An assessment of the role of Candida albicans and food yeasts in chronic urticaria. British Journal of Dermatology. 84:227-237, 1971

  Schinfeld, JS. PMS and candidiasis: study explores possible link. The Female Patient. 12:July 1987

  Witkin, SS. Defective immune response in patients with recurrent candidiasis. Infections in Medicine. May-June 1985

  Resseger, Charles S., D.O. or Norwalk, OH. Conversations with

  Giannela, RA. Broitman SA. Zamcheck, N. Influence of gastric acidity on bacterial and parasitic enteric infections: a perspective. Annals of Internal Medicine. 78: 271, 1973

  Gordon, JE. Chitkara, ID. Wyon, JB. Weanling diarrhea. American Journal of Medical Science. 245:345, 1963

  Mackowiak PA. The Normal Microbial Flora. New England Journal of Medicine. 307:83, 1982

  Freter, R. Interactions between mechanisms controlling the intestinal microflora. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 27:1409, 1974

  Bartlett, JG. Antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis. Rev Infect Dis. 1:123, 1979

  Freter, R. Brickner, H. Botney, M. et al. Mechanisms that control bacterial populations in continuous flow culture models of mouse large intestinal flora. Infectious Immunology. 39:676, 1983

  Shedlofsky, S. Freter, R. Synergism between ecologic and immunologic control mechanisms of intestinal flora. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 137:661, 1978

  Renfro, L. Feder, HM Jr. Lane, TJ. Manu, P. Matthews, DA. Yeast connection among 100 patients with chronic fatigue. American Journal of Medicine. 86(2):165-8, Feb. 1989.

  Schlossberg, D. Devig, PM. Travers, H. Kovalcik, PJ Mullen, JT. Bowel perforation with candidiasis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 238(23):2520-1, Dec 5, 1977.

  Schwartz, RH. Knerr, RJ. Candida esophagitis during treatemnt for adolescent acne vulgaris. Pediatric Infectious disease. 1(5):374, Sep-Oct, 1982.

  Jayagopal, S. Cervia, JS. Colitis due to Candida albicans in a patient with AIDS. Clinical Infectios Diseases. 15(3):555, Sep. 1992.

  Minoli G. Terruzzi V. Butti G. Frigerio G. Rossini A. Gastric candidiasis:an endoscopic and histological study in 26 patients. Gastrointestinal endoscopy. 28(2)59-61, 1982.

  Tortora, G. Funke, B. Case, C. Microbiology. New York: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, 1995.

  Saltarelli, Cora G. Candida albicans: The Pathogenic Fungus. Hemisphere Publishing Company: Philadelphia, 1989.

  Segal, Esther; Baum, Gerald L. Pathogenic Yeasts and Yeast Infections. CRC Press: Ann Arbor, 1994.

  Jenzer, Martin, M.D. or Rochester, NY. Conversations with.

  Nelson, Robert S. Bruni, Hamilton C. Goldstein, Harvey M. Primary gastric candidiasis in uncompromised subjects. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 22:2, 92-94, 1982.

  Chan, Stephen, PhD, of SUNY College at Brockport, NY. Conversations with.

  Discussions with patients that have been treated with antifungal and diet therapy.

  Candida & Psoriasis in Dermatological Diseases

  (in addition to above)

  Skinner, RB. Jr. Rosenberg, W. Noah, PW. Psoriasis of the palms and soles is frequently associated with oropharyngeal Candida albicans. Acta Dermatological Venereol Supplement. 186:149-150, 1994.

  M buslau, Menzel I, Holzmann H. Fungal flora of the human faeces in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Mycoses. 33:2, 90-4, Feb. 1990.

  Soyeur U. Kilic H. Alpan O. Anti-Candida antibody levels in psoriasis vulgaris. Cent. Afr. Journal of Medicaine. 36: 8, 190-2, Aug. 1990.

  Baker BS. Powles AV. Malkani AK. Altered call-medicated immunity to group A haemolytic atreptococcal antigens in chronic plaque psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology. 125: 1, 38-42, Jul 1991.

  el-Maghrabi EA. Dixon DM. Burnett JW. Characterization of Candida albicans epidermolytic proteases and their role in yeast-cell adherance to keratinocytes. Clinical Experimental Dermatology. 15: 3, 183-91, May 1990.

  Senff H. Bothe C. Busacker J. Reinel D. Studies on the yeast flora in patients suffering from psoriasis capillitii or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Mycoses. 33:1, 29-32, Jan 1990.

  Orkin VF. [The characteristics of the clinical picture of candidiasis of the skin and mucous membranes in patients with chronic dermatosis] - Russian. Vrach Delo. 5, 78-80, May 1992.

  McKay M. Vulvar dermatoses: common problems in dermatological and gynecological practice. British Journal of Clinical Pract. Sym. Supplement. 71: 5-10, Sep 1990.

  Noah PW. The role of microorganisms in psoriasis. Semin Dermatology. 9:4, 269-76, Dec 1990.

  Haneke E. Fungal infections of the nail. Semin Dermatology. 10: 1, 41-53, Mar 1991.

  Rosenberg, EW. Noah PW. Skinner RB. Microorganisms and psoriasis. Journal of the National Medical Association. 86:4, 305-10, Apr 1994.

  Meinhof W. [Intestinal colonization with Candida albicans and its effect on chronic inflammatory dermatoses]-German. Hautarzt. 46:8, 525-7, Aug 1995.

  Buslau L. Hanel M. Holzmann H. The significance of yeasts in seborrheic eczemna. Hautarzt. 40(10):611-3, Oct. 1989. - German

  Henseler T. [Mucocutaneous candidiasis in patients with skin diseases] - German. Mycoses. 38 Supplement 1:7-13, 1995.

  Kemeny L. Ruzicka T. Dobozy A. Michel G. Role of interleukin-8 receptor in skin. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. 104: 4, 317-22, Aug 1994.

  Squiquera L. Galimberti R. Morelli L. Plotkin L. Milicich R. Kowalckzuk A. Leoni J. Antibodies to proteins from Pityrosporum ovale in the sera from patients with psoriasis. Clinical Experimental Dermatology. 19: 4, 289-93, Jul 1994.

  Oranje AP. Dzoljic-Danilovic G. Michel MF. Aarsen RS. van Joost, T. [Is juvenile seborrheic dermatitis a candidiasis? Studies of a possible link with microbial infections.] - German Tijdschrift voor Kindergeneeskunde. 55(3):87-92, Jul 1987.

  Candida and Diarrhea

  Burke, V., Gracey, M. An experimental model of gastrointestinal candidiasis Journal of Medical Microbiology. 13:103-110.

  Gupta, T., Ehrinpreis, M. Candida-associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients. Gastroenterology. 98:780-785, 1990.

  Danna, P., Urban, C., Bellin, E., Rahal, J. Role of candida in pathogenesis of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in elderly inpatients. The Lancet. 337:511-514, 1991.

  Bishop, R., Barnes, G. Depression of lactase acitivity in the small intestines of infant rabbits by Candida albicans.

  Kane, J., Chretien, J., Garagusi, V. Diarrhoea caused by Candida The Lancet. 335-336, 1976. (Immunocompetent)

  Garagusi, VF. Chretien, JH. Diarrhoea caused by Candida.(letter) Lancet. 1(7961):697-8, Mar 27, 1976.

  Letter in Lancet in response. Enweani IB. Obi CL. Jokpeyibo M. Prevalence of Candida species in Nigerian children with diarrhoea. J Diarrhoeal Dis Res 12(2):133-5, Jun, 1994.

  Gut flora in normal and disordered states. Chemotherapy. 5-15, 1995.

  Vogel LC. Antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Orthop Nurs 14(2): 38-41, Mar-Apr, 1995.

  Koffi-Akoua G. Ferly-Therizol M. Kouassi-Beugre MT. Konan A. Timite AM. Assi Adou J. Assale G. [Cryptosporidium and candida in pediatric diarrhea in Abidjan.] Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales 82(4): 451-7, , 1989.

  Ngan PK. Khanh NG. Tuong CV. Quy PP. Anh DN. Thuy HT. Persistent diarrhea in Vietnamese children: a preliminary report. Acta Paediatric Supplement. 381: 124-6, Sep, 1992.

  Siregar CD. Sinuhaji AB. Sutanto AH. Spectrum of digestive tract diseases 1985-1987 at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of Dr. Pirngadi General Hospital, Medan. Paediatr Indones. 30(5-6): 133-8, May-Jun, 1990.

  Talwar P. Chakrabarti A. Chawla A. Mehta S. Walia BN. Kumar L. Chugh KS. Fungal diarrhoea: association of different fungi and seasonal variation in their incidence. Mycopathologia. 110(2): 101-5, May, 1990.

  Omoike IU. Abiodun PO. Upper small intestinal microflora in diarrhea and malnutrition in Nigerian children. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterolog Nutrition 9(3): 314-21, Oct, 1989.

   

  Immunosuppressed

  Hirschel B. [AIDS and gastrointestinal tract: a summary for gastroenterologists and surgeons] Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 120(14): 475-84, Apr 7, 1990.

  Gage TP. Eagan J. Gagnier M. Diverticulitis complicated by candidal pylephlebitis. South Med. Journal 78(10): 1265-6, Oct, 1985.

  Caselli M. Trevisani L. Bighi S. Aleotti A. Balboni PG. Gaiani R. Bovolenta MR. Stabellini G. Dead fecal yeasts and chronic diarrhea. Digestion. 41(3): 142-8, 1988.

  Zhen DL. [Analysis of the causative organisms in adult acute infectious diarrhea encountered in the past 12 years]. Chung Hua Nei Ko Tsa Chih 21(9): 540-2, Sep, 1982.

  Lorenz A. Grutte FK. Schon E. Muller B. Klimmt G. [Fungal infection of the small bowel mucosa.] Mykosen. 27(10): 506-10, Oct, 1984.

  Candida and Antibiotics

  [Clinical evaluation of a new oral penem, SY5555, in the pediatric field.] Japanese Journal of Antibiotics. 41-8, Jan, 1995.

  Elmer GW. Surawicz CM. McFarland LV. Biotherapeutic agents: A neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections. Journal of the American Medical Association. 275(11): 870-6, Mar 20, 1996.

  In other languages

   

• L Berkhof I. van Dusseldorp M. Swanink CM. van der Meer, JW. A diet for chronic fatigue caused by Candida albicans?. Nederlands Tijdschrift Geneeskunde. 135(43):2017-2019, Oct 26, 1991.

  ---

..