Candida Albicans Fungus

Candida Albicans is a resident fungal parasite present in the gut of 80% of human population around the world. It is one of the several parasites that colonize the human intestine. Still, its relationship with humans is described as commensal, that is, it benefits from human intestinal abode, without damaging a host's interests, most of the time. It's a good tenant of the intestine, for most of the time. It has found its evolutionary niche in human intestines, which helps it survive. However, it can and does cause problems at times and then we must deal with it.

Candida Albican Fungus Genome

When the genome (genetic sequence) of Candida Albicans Fungus was studied, researchers uncovered some interesting facts. Rearrangement of chromosomal structure occurs in this organism, due to which it can change form and is therefore dimorphic. This is a unique kind of adaptive strategy identified in very few organisms. In biological terms, this phenomenon is called 'phenotype switching'. Studies have shown that some strains of this fungus can take up to seven different types of forms.

Candida Albicans Infections

Candida Albicans can infect the human body and cause problems ranging from mild to serious. It is a type of yeast, a unicellular asexually reproducing fungus. The reason for the Candida Albicans yeast infection is its unchecked overgrowth.

The intestine is populated by many more tenants, other than this fungus species. However there is an equilibrium created in the intestine due to the nullification of one parasite's growth by the other. Due to this phenomenon, none of the parasites dominate and grow to cause a major problem. This balance can however be disrupted by an indiscriminate ingestion of antibiotics that can wipe out most of them, except a few.

Once the equilibrium is disturbed like this, it can cause Candida Albicans overgrowth resulting into infections. Thus, if the conditions are favorable, it grows and spreads in many parts of the body. The commensal relationship becomes a truly parasitic one. This unrestricted growth can prove to be fatal, if it's not handled quickly. Many people prefer a detox with anti-candida diet to cleanse their colon.

The most common areas of the body, targeted by Candida Albicans are the digestive system (the esophagus and intestines), the oral cavity and genital organs. It mostly infects the gastrointestinal tract and therefore constipation and candida are related. More worse than these localized infections are systemic infections wherein many parts of the body are simultaneously attacked by a Candida Albicans fungus. That's why, it is very important to keep it at bay early on, before it gets into its stride. Especially, people with immune system compromising diseases like AIDS or HIV positive patients need to be careful. As in such immune compromised cases, the Candida Albicans fungus infection can cause fatality, if left unchecked.

So one needs to be watchful about the symptoms of Candida Albicans yeast infection. Hope this article has alerted you enough about the exploits of this fungal species.