Afro-Egypt J Infect  Endem  Dis  2013 March;3(1):27-30

 

Fungal Infections in the Elderly

 

 

Revelas A,  Liannos E, Arvanitakis D

 

 

Pathological Department of St.Nicolaos Hospital -Crete , Greece.

donnoiko@gmail.com

 

 

                              

 

ABSTRACT

 Fungi are increasingly recognised as major pathogens in critically ill patients. Several reasons have been proposed for the increase in invasive fungal infections, including the use of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and prosthetic devices and grafts, and more aggressive surgery. Patients with burns, neutropenia, HIV infection and pancreatitis are also predisposed to fungal infection Candidiasis is caused by infection with species of the genus Candida, predominantly with Candida albicans. Candida species are ubiquitous fungi that represent the most common fungal pathogens that affect humans. The growing problem of mucosal and systemic candidiasis reflects the enormous increase in the number of patients at risk and the increased opportunity that exists for Candida species to invade tissues normally resistant to invasion.