Which organism most commonly causes cutaneous candidiasis?

Which organism most commonly causes cutaneous candidiasis?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Aspergillus
• C. Candida species
• D. Dermatophyte fungus

Answer: (C)

Candida species, especially Candida albicans, most commonly cause cutaneous candidiasis. This happens when a yeast that normally colonizes skin and mucous membranes overgrows in warm, moist areas such as skin folds, the groin, axillae, or under the breasts. Predisposing factors include moisture and occlusion, diabetes, obesity, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression. The typical presentation is red, macerated plaques with satellite lesions in intertriginous zones, often with itching or burning. Diagnosis can be supported by a KOH prep showing budding yeast with pseudohyphae and by culture. Other organisms listed are associated with different skin infections: Staphylococcus aureus causes bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis; dermatophytes cause tinea infections with ring-shaped, scaly borders; and Aspergillus is a mold that more commonly causes invasive or systemic disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals, rather than the classic intertriginous candidal pattern.

Candida species, especially Candida albicans, most commonly cause cutaneous candidiasis. This happens when a yeast that normally colonizes skin and mucous membranes overgrows in warm, moist areas such as skin folds, the groin, axillae, or under the breasts. Predisposing factors include moisture and occlusion, diabetes, obesity, antibiotic use, and immunosuppression. The typical presentation is red, macerated plaques with satellite lesions in intertriginous zones, often with itching or burning. Diagnosis can be supported by a KOH prep showing budding yeast with pseudohyphae and by culture.

Other organisms listed are associated with different skin infections: Staphylococcus aureus causes bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis; dermatophytes cause tinea infections with ring-shaped, scaly borders; and Aspergillus is a mold that more commonly causes invasive or systemic disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals, rather than the classic intertriginous candidal pattern.