Esophagus: Candidiasis
A
52yr old man presented with diffuse burning feeling in the upper aspect of the
abdomen for the last 3 months.
He suffers from long standing form of glomerulonephritis and has been
treated by steroids.
There was no weight loss.
On examination, the only abnormality was the presence of some whitish
plaques on the oral mucosa.
1.
Why is this section abnormal?
Describe abnormal histological features.
A
layer of thrush seen on top of the mucosal layer.
Presence of inflammatory cells beneath the epithelium signifies ongoing
acute inflammation.
Some cell debris is also seen at the surface.
2.
What
is the diagnosis?
Which histological special stain would you want to confirm the diagnosis?
Oral
candidiasis. The
methenamine silver stain can be used.
3.
What
has predisposed the patient to such infection?
What other conditions can predispose patient to the same disease?
Treatment
of glomerulonephritis with corticosteroid therapy depressed the immune system of
this patient and predisposed him to this disease.
Other conditions include treatment with antibiotics, HIV, cellular
immunodeficiency.
4.
What
are the oral mucosal lesions most likely to be?
Leukoplakia
5.
What
other organs can be affected?
Oesophagus,
vagina, skin, kidney, bladder, heart, muscle, bone joints
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