Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis--associated immunologic abnormalities

Candidiasis (moniliasis, candidosis) includes a group of fungous diseases varying in severity from commonly encountered local superficial involvement of the oral mucosa to fulminating systemic infections rapidly terminating in death.1 The etiologic agent is Candida albicans or occasionally another species of candida. These fungi are frequently found as saprophytes in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal area. Some local or systemic impairment of host defense mechanisms usually appears to be an essential predisposing factor for the development of candidiasis. The term chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis refers to a heterogeneous group of fungous diseases characterized by persistent or recurrent candida infection of mucous membranes, nails, and skin.1-3 Involvement of internal organs seldom, if ever, occurs.