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Is Bacteria Harder to Kill Than Candida?

Fungal and yeast infections (candidiasis) affect many people. Symptoms range from the superficial thrush infections of the mouth and genito-urinary areas to systemic yeast infection that originates in the gut but may affect the whole body. Candidiasis is caused by an over-proliferation of candida yeasts, and in recent years there has been growing awareness of the relationship between candida overgrowth and the role of bacteria within the body.

  1. Gut Flora

    • The human gut contains a complex balance of micro-organisms known as the gut flora. The majority of these micro-organisms are bacteria, which play a complex role in the body's overall health. These bacteria are useful in building immunity to harmful pathogens. According to The Lancet, they are also found to support metabolic processes and the ability to absorb essential nutrients from food. However, other bacteria within the gut are implicated in the advancement of serious disease, but it is thought that beneficial bacteria play a role in moderating the effects of harmful bacteria.

    Imbalance

    • Candida albicans is a fungal microbe found commonly in the gastro-intestinal tract. In a healthy subject it should cause no symptoms at all, as long as the digestive flora remains balanced. However, prescribed antibiotics may lead to a lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and this in turn may upset the balance of gut flora and allow candida yeasts to proliferate. Candida overgrowth can lead to systemic infection, causing numerous symptoms including chronic bowel pain and diarrhoea. For those with lowered immunity this may represent a serious risk to health.

    Treatments

    • While antibiotics are strongly implicated in the onset of candida overgrowth, candida itself can be effectively treated with drugs. The standard treatment for patients suffering from systemic candidiasis is the drug nystatin, which has been shown to completely control chronic candidiasis within three to four days. Iodine is also known to have significant anti-fungal properties. Since the 1950s, povidone-iodine has been used as a safe and cost-effective treatment for candidiasis, particularly in developing countries where it is cited as a useful alternative to expensive antifungal drugs.

    Drug-Resistance

    • Although antifungal and antibacterial treatments are widely effective, bacterial and fungal microbes have been found to mutate and develop resistance to conventional drug treatments. This can represent a serious concern, since both bacterial and fungal infections can cause serious health risks, particularly in those with lowered immunity, such as the elderly or those with HIV or AIDS. Drug-resistant pathogens are a major concern in developing countries where AIDS and malnutrition are prevalent. Povidone-iodine has been found to remain effective against mutating strains of the candida yeast.

    Research

    • Mutation and drug-resistance of both bacteria and candida are serious concerns and can hinder treatment of either infection. The improper use of antibiotics (such as patients failing to complete the course or medical practitioners' overuse in the treatment of minor illnesses) has been implicated in the rise of drug-resistant so-called "superbugs." In most cases both candida and bacterial infection will still respond to conventional drug therapy. Research into new treatments for drug-resistant strains is ongoing.

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