gastrointestinal disorders
Infectious Esophageal Disorders
Introduction
Esophageal infection occurs mainly in patients with impaired host defenses. Primary agents include Candidiasis , (See also Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders .) Esophageal infection is rare in patients with normal host defenses. Primary esophageal defenses include saliva, esophageal motility, and cellular immunity. Thus, at-risk patients include those with AIDS, organ transplants, alcohol use disorder, diabetes, undernutrition, cancer, and Esophageal Motility Disorders . Additionally, swallowed or inhaled corticosteroids may increase the risk of infectious esophagitis. 