Therapy | Disease causing fungi

Therapy

The treatment of fungi is ensured by the group of drugs called antimycotics.They are not antibiotics in the classical sense, but because of their slightly different mode of action they are considered to be fungal drugs. Depending on the type of fungus, a different fungal medicine is used. The mostly fungal drugs act by inhibiting an enzyme that is necessary for the cell structure of the fungus.

By this inhibition the fungus perishes and cannot multiply anymore. This group of effects includes drugs such as morpholines, pyrroles and azoles (e.g. Clotrimatzol – Canesten®). The so-called pore formers, to which amphotericin and nystatin belong, ensure that the cell membrane of the fungus is broken through and the fungus dies.

Then there are medicines, which inhibit the DNA synthesis of the cells and thus ensure that the mushroom perishes and cannot multiply further. To this substance class 5-fluorcytosine belongs. The drugs should be used consistently for a few weeks.

Sometimes it is necessary to take the medication systemically (i.e. in the form of a tablet that works throughout the body). In other areas, e.g. in the case of a skin fungus, one application as an ointment is sufficient. Here, the active ingredient Nystatin is used above all.

Candida albicans

Candida Albicans is a fungus from the group of yeasts. It is a fungus that belongs to the so-called facultative pathological fungi, i.e. pathogens that cause damage only under certain conditions. Often yeasts are found on and in the human body and do not need to be treated and do not cause disease.

An infection with Candida albicans is generally called candidiasis. Especially in immunocompromised patients, such as HIV patients or patients with severe concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus), Candida albicans can lead to the onset of a disease. Candida albicans can cause symptoms on the skin, and thrush infections can occur in the intestine or in the area of the esophagus and throat.

The treatment of a candida infection is by nystatin or fluconazole. Candida sepsis should be avoided in any case, as it is a life-threatening condition and can be treated quickly. Candida fungi can often remain on the skin or mucous membranes for years without causing any symptoms.

At some point and for certain reasons, they then multiply excessively so that the own immune system can no longer keep the pathogen in check. This leads to an outbreak of the disease, which must be treated. or yeast fungus in the vagina