immune disorders
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Introduction
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, a hereditary immunodeficiency disorder, is persistent or recurring infection withCandida(a fungus) due to malfunction of T cells (a type of white blood cell). Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis causes frequent or chronic fungal infections of the mouth, scalp, skin, and nails. To diagnose the disorder, doctors examine a sample from the infected area under a microscope and do blood tests to check for the mutations that cause the immunodeficiency. Antifungal drugs can usually control the infection, but they must be taken for a long time. (See also Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders .) Because T cells (a type of lymphocyte) malfunction, the body is less able to fight fungal infections, including infection with Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is due to a mutation in specific genes. Depending on which gene has the mutation, one or two mutations (one from each parent) may be needed to cause the disorder. 