Candidiasis Opportunistic Mycosis within Nigeria: A Review

Abstract

Candidiasis as a disease is sometimes synonymous with woman folk and most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. But the disease generally has no border, as it affects males, females, old, young and middle age persons. Environmental changes encourage over-growth of the opportunistic pathogens Candida spp. The review aimed to assess different presentations of diseases due to Candida species in some states in Nigeria, covering Northwest, South-west, South-south and South-eastern parts of the country. Data was obtained through literature search of work from previous researchers. It was observed based on the review that candidiasis is a factor of many different species of the genus Candida but Candida albican is the predominant cause of the illiness, with other non albican Candida, contributing the remaining percentage. It was also discovered that HIV infection, pregnancy, diabetis abuse of antibiotics and generally immunocompromise status are among the predisposing factors of the disease. It was also discovered that age group of 20-30 which is an active age group in women are more prone to candidisis.