Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Part I Clinical Syndromes – General
- Part II Clinical Syndromes – Head and Neck
- Part III Clinical Syndromes – Eye
- Part IV Clinical Syndromes – Skin and Lymph Nodes
- Part V Clinical Syndromes – Respiratory Tract
- Part VI Clinical Syndromes – Heart and Blood Vessels
- Part VII Clinical Syndromes – Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Abdomen
- 42 Acute Viral Hepatitis
- 43 Chronic Hepatitis
- 44 Biliary Infection: Cholecystitis and Cholangitis
- 45 Pyogenic Liver Abscess
- 46 Infectious Complications of Acute Pancreatitis
- 47 Esophageal Infections
- 48 Gastroenteritis
- 49 Food Poisoning
- 50 Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
- 51 Sexually Transmitted Enteric Infections
- 52 Acute Appendicitis
- 53 Diverticulitis
- 54 Abdominal Abscess
- 55 Splenic Abscess
- 56 Peritonitis
- 57 Whipple's Disease and Sprue
- Part VIII Clinical Syndromes – Genitourinary Tract
- Part IX Clinical Syndromes – Musculoskeletal System
- Part X Clinical Syndromes – Neurologic System
- Part XI The Susceptible Host
- Part XII HIV
- Part XIII Nosocomial Infection
- Part XIV Infections Related to Surgery and Trauma
- Part XV Prevention of Infection
- Part XVI Travel and Recreation
- Part XVII Bioterrorism
- Part XVIII Specific Organisms – Bacteria
- Part XIX Specific Organisms – Spirochetes
- Part XX Specific Organisms – Mycoplasma and Chlamydia
- Part XXI Specific Organisms – Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
- Part XXII Specific Organisms – Fungi
- Part XXIII Specific Organisms – Viruses
- Part XXIV Specific Organisms – Parasites
- Part XXV Antimicrobial Therapy – General Considerations
- Index
47 - Esophageal Infections
from Part VII - Clinical Syndromes – Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Abdomen
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Contributors
- Part I Clinical Syndromes – General
- Part II Clinical Syndromes – Head and Neck
- Part III Clinical Syndromes – Eye
- Part IV Clinical Syndromes – Skin and Lymph Nodes
- Part V Clinical Syndromes – Respiratory Tract
- Part VI Clinical Syndromes – Heart and Blood Vessels
- Part VII Clinical Syndromes – Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Abdomen
- 42 Acute Viral Hepatitis
- 43 Chronic Hepatitis
- 44 Biliary Infection: Cholecystitis and Cholangitis
- 45 Pyogenic Liver Abscess
- 46 Infectious Complications of Acute Pancreatitis
- 47 Esophageal Infections
- 48 Gastroenteritis
- 49 Food Poisoning
- 50 Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
- 51 Sexually Transmitted Enteric Infections
- 52 Acute Appendicitis
- 53 Diverticulitis
- 54 Abdominal Abscess
- 55 Splenic Abscess
- 56 Peritonitis
- 57 Whipple's Disease and Sprue
- Part VIII Clinical Syndromes – Genitourinary Tract
- Part IX Clinical Syndromes – Musculoskeletal System
- Part X Clinical Syndromes – Neurologic System
- Part XI The Susceptible Host
- Part XII HIV
- Part XIII Nosocomial Infection
- Part XIV Infections Related to Surgery and Trauma
- Part XV Prevention of Infection
- Part XVI Travel and Recreation
- Part XVII Bioterrorism
- Part XVIII Specific Organisms – Bacteria
- Part XIX Specific Organisms – Spirochetes
- Part XX Specific Organisms – Mycoplasma and Chlamydia
- Part XXI Specific Organisms – Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
- Part XXII Specific Organisms – Fungi
- Part XXIII Specific Organisms – Viruses
- Part XXIV Specific Organisms – Parasites
- Part XXV Antimicrobial Therapy – General Considerations
- Index
Summary
Esophageal infections are encountered frequently in clinical practice, particularly in patients with impaired host defenses, and are an important contributor to morbidity and mortality. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic and the increasing use of organ transplantation with its attendant immunosuppresive therapy have precipitated an increased incidence of esophageal infections. Although Candida albicans is typically the etiologic agent in mildy immunosuppressed patients with infectious esophagitis, a variety of fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens are capable of causing infection (see Table 47.1). Regardless of the organism, infection causes mucosal inflammation resulting in the hallmark clinical complaint of odynophagia and potentially resulting in erosions, ulcers, or fistulae. Rapid identification and treatment of the infecting organism is of paramount importance because, in contrast to underlying clinical states that predispose to their occurrence, esophageal infections generally respond rapidly and completely to appropriate treatment.
FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE ESOPHAGUS
Candida Species
Candida albicans is the fungal organism most frequently implicated in infectious esophagitis. Other Candida species (Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, and Candida glabrata) are less commonly involved. Candida organisms are normal components of the oral flora, and colonization of the esophagus is not unusual. A population-based study revealed esophageal colonization in approximately 20% of healthy, ambulatory adults. Colonization involves adherence and proliferation of Candida organisms within the superficial mucosa.
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- Information
- Clinical Infectious Disease , pp. 339 - 348Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008