Abstract

Patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs are known to be particularly susceptible to yeast infections. There is, however, no information concerning the occurrence of skin infections with Candida in patients treated with low doses of immunosuppressive drugs over a long period of time. Therefore, an evaluation of the incidence of infections and a determination of the species of yeast fungi found in those patients was performed. In 31 patients mycological samples from 5 different sites were obtained and examined. Differentiation of species was performed on the basis of the analysis of their morphological and biochemical features. In 29 out of these 31 studied cases, despite the fact that no subjective complaints were reported, mycological tests were positive. Fifty-five (55) different strains were isolated including: 51 strains of C. albicans and 4 strains of C. parapsylosis. In 4 patients both types of Candida strains were found, concomitantly. In the majority of patients the infection was multifocal. Patients receiving even low doses of immunosuppressive drugs over a long period of time constitute a "risk group". These patients, even if they do not present any clinical symptoms, should be subjected to periodic mycological tests of various sites of skin and mucosa.

Keywords: yeast-like fungi infections, immunosuppressive therapy