Antibiotics and risk of yeast infections
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Antibiotics and Increased Risk of Yeast Infections
Antibiotic Use and Disruption of Microbiota
Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, can disrupt the normal bacterial balance in the body, leading to an increased risk of yeast infections. This disruption, known as dysbiosis, allows opportunistic yeasts like Candida species to overgrow, as the usual bacterial competitors are reduced or eliminated 35. Studies have shown that both short-term and prolonged antibiotic use can significantly alter the gut's fungal composition, increasing the fungal load and the abundance of Candida albicans in particular .
Specific Antibiotics and Yeast Overgrowth
Certain antibiotics, such as vancomycin and tetracyclines, have been directly linked to a higher risk of yeast infections. Vancomycin has been shown to promote the formation and growth of Candida auris biofilms, both in laboratory settings and in living organisms, leading to increased mortality in infection models 14. Tetracycline antibiotics have also been identified as independent risk factors for Candida auris infection or colonization in hospitalized patients .
Hospitalized and Vulnerable Populations
Hospitalized patients, especially those in intensive care units, are at a higher risk for yeast infections following antibiotic treatment. Risk factors include the use of central venous catheters, diabetes, renal failure, and a recent history of antibiotic use 78. In neonates, the use of antibiotics, low birth weight, prematurity, and central catheters are major contributors to life-threatening yeast infections, including those caused by rare, difficult-to-treat yeasts .
Types of Yeast Infections Associated with Antibiotics
Antibiotic use is associated with a range of yeast infections, from localized conditions like oral thrush and vulvovaginal candidiasis to invasive infections such as candidemia and urinary tract infections 58. Invasive candidiasis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients, often following antibiotic-induced disruption of the microbiota 457.
Frequency and Severity of Antibiotic-Related Yeast Infections
While the overall frequency of serious yeast superinfections in hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics is relatively low, the majority of these superinfections are fungal in nature, and the risk increases with concurrent immunosuppression or impaired renal function . In some studies, nearly all patients with Candida auris infection had a history of prior antibiotic use .
Antibiotics and Yeast Infections in Pregnancy
In pregnant women, antibiotic use is common, but studies have not found a significant increase in the risk of developing symptomatic Candida vaginitis among those who receive antibiotics compared to those who do not . However, women already colonized with Candida are at a higher risk of developing symptoms, regardless of antibiotic exposure .
Conclusion
Antibiotic use, particularly broad-spectrum and certain specific antibiotics, is a well-established risk factor for yeast infections, especially in hospitalized, immunocompromised, and neonatal populations. The disruption of normal bacterial flora by antibiotics creates an environment where opportunistic yeasts can thrive, leading to both localized and invasive infections. Careful monitoring and judicious use of antibiotics are essential to minimize the risk of these potentially serious complications 12345678+1 MORE.
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