Ali Abdul Hussein AL-Janabi; Ruaa Kadhim Mohammed Jawad
Abstract
A variety of Candida spp. as the most common fungi in the human body can normally be found in the vagina competing with other microbotes. Their presence is influenced by a variety of conditions in the vaginal environment. The proliferation of Candida spp. in the vagina under specific conditions can result ...
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A variety of Candida spp. as the most common fungi in the human body can normally be found in the vagina competing with other microbotes. Their presence is influenced by a variety of conditions in the vaginal environment. The proliferation of Candida spp. in the vagina under specific conditions can result in a fungal disease known as vaginal candidiasis. More than 17 species of Candida out of 200 members of this genus are capable of causing diseases within the human body. Estrogen, along with other steroidal hormones, has been shown to have direct multifunctional effects on various pathogenic microorganisms by numerous activities. Its production as well as other factors such as disturbance of microbial balance and immune activity may alter the vaginal physical environment and promote the development of vaginal fungal infection. The vaginal functions can be affected by the level of circulation of estrogens in the blood according to the stage of the menstrual cycle in women. It also has many other functional actions on the vaginal structure. Estrogen and several other factors play an important role in determining the vaginal content of Candida species. Its effect could be a direct action on the cells of Candida or through an indirect effect on the immunity defenses of the vagina.
Ali AL-Janabi
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection with systemic characteristics, which is caused by various species of Aspergillus. The infection could develop in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients under specific circumstances. Based on the clinical features and type of invasion, aspergillosis could ...
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Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection with systemic characteristics, which is caused by various species of Aspergillus. The infection could develop in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients under specific circumstances. Based on the clinical features and type of invasion, aspergillosis could be classified into four main categories, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), noninvasive aspergilloma, semi-invasive chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increases the infection rate with aspergillosis. RA is an autoimmune disease characterized by several chronic symptoms in the joints, including pain, stiffness, and chronic synovitis. Previous studies have denoted an association between RA and aspergillosis. Inhibitory drugs of tumor necrosis factors and steroids are widely used in the treatment of RA. ABPA and IPA are the most commonly diagnosed diseases in patients with RA. The present study aimed to review the effects of RA and its treatment on the development of aspergillosis.