Mycoses

The cause is fungal infection. The grounding also notes that Candida albicans can overgrow and cause infection when host immunity, stress, resident microbiota, or other factors are altered, but it does not support a broader causal list for all mycoses.

Fungal disease reflects interaction between fungal virulence and host defenses. The fungal cell wall is central to pathogenicity and immune recognition, and many fungal pathogens have wall components that are recognized by animal immune systems; some signature molecules can also be masked, helping fungi evade detection. Biofilm formation is another mechanism of disease, especially for Candida albicans on implanted medical devices, where densely packed communities support persistence and infection.

Altered host immunity is a risk factor for fungal overgrowth and infection. The grounding also identifies stress, changes in resident microbiota, and the presence of implanted medical devices as factors associated with Candida albicans disease, but it does not support a comprehensive risk-factor profile for all mycoses.

Treatment is described at the antifungal drug-class level. The grounding supports antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides, and it notes that fungal cell wall biosynthetic enzymes are important targets for these therapies. It does not provide specific regimens or modality details beyond antifungal treatment.