NOSTRE ESPERIENZE SULLE MICOSI DELL'APPARATO GASTROENTERICO NEL PERIODO 1996-2002

The authors report the results of mycologic tests for the search of C. albicans performed on 947 fecal samples from patients reporting troubles at the gastrointestinal apparatus. The positivity rate (about 50%) certainly proves the high frequency of intestinal candidosis and, at the same time, the fact that too often general pratictioners ignore or even exclude these affections when visiting their patients. Considering the serious risks of a late diagnosis of intestinal candidosis, our results are meant to draw the attention of practitioners upon the subject and to suggest that they prescribe mycologic tests to their patients and, in case of an ascertained positivity, recommend specific therapies, avoiding the administration of corticosteroids (drug typically prescribed to cure serious intestinal troubles that have the side effect of worsening the Candida infection instead of eliminating it.