Role of Candida Albicans In Chronic Disease

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Abstract
Nonviable Candida albicans was occluded into a relatively sterile nail fold, and the characteristic rounding out and retraction of chronic paronychia occurred. It seems likely when C albicans is chronically present on any surface there is a penetration of cellular material derived from the dying organisms into the deeper structure. This produces a chronic inflammatory reaction. The infiltrate of the inflammatory reaction to the material is the major factor in the rounding out and retraction phenomenon of chronic paronychia. Such penetration of exogenous material deserves investigation in any other disease process where C albicans is chronically present on the surface. Other "low grade pathogens" not usually capable of invading living tissue may contribute to disease processes by similar mechanisms. C albicans has an advantage of containing an irritant material capable of injuring the epidermal barrier and the mucosa.