Esophageal candidiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]

Candida esophagitis is very responsive to antifungal therapy. Complications can be systemic due to the spread of infection to the blood stream or local as esophageal stricture and obstruction.

If left untreated, complications as esophageal stricture and candidaemia ensue.

Complications can be systemic due to spread of candida or localized due to the local invasion of the fungus.^[1]

• Systemic spread and fungemia
• Esophageal perforation
• Tracheoesophageal fistula
• Esophageal stricture
• Esophageal obstruction

• Prognosis is excellent and Esophageal candidiaisis is usually responsive to antifungal treatment.
• Recurrence is common after treatment due to persistence of the predisposing immunosuppression.