CANDIDA ESOPHAGITIS - PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 27 CASES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 71  (5) , 715-719
Abstract
A prospective study of Candida esophagitis was undertaken to determine the spectrum of this disease in a general hospital. During 1 yr, in 370 consecutive endoscopies, 27 patients with Candida esophagitis were directed. The diagnosis was established by finding white plaques on endoscopy, yeast organisms on microscopic examination of a direct smear from the plaques, and a serum agglutinin titer of at least 1:160. Of these 27 patients, 14 had esophageal symptoms. Twelve patients were reendoscoped after nystatin or nystatin and flucytosine therapy. Nine patients showed absence of lesions, a negative smear and disappearance of symptoms. Control patients had no plaques on endoscopy, no yeast organisms on microscopical examination of esophageal brushings, and a positive titer in 4-17% of cases. A minimal agglutinin titer of 1:160 was found in 4-12% of 2 additional groups of controls. Absence of titer precluded a diagnosis of Candida esophagitis.

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