Which opportunistic infection is commonly associated with antibiotic use?

Which opportunistic infection is commonly associated with antibiotic use?

• A. Candida albicans
• B. Escherichia coli
• C. Staphylococcus aureus
• D. Aspergillus niger

Answer: (A)

Antibiotics can disrupt the protective bacterial flora that normally keep yeast growth in check. Candida albicans is a common fungus that lives in small numbers in the mouth, gut, and vagina, and when bacterial competitors are reduced by antibiotics, Candida can overgrow and cause candidiasis. This is a classic antibiotic-associated opportunistic infection, which is why Candida albicans is the best choice. The other organisms listed are not the typical antibiotic-associated opportunistic fungus. E. coli is a bacterium that's part of the gut flora; antibiotics can alter bacterial balance but it’s not the classic yeast overgrowth problem. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial pathogen that can cause infections, but again, it’s not the familiar overgrowth issue seen with antibiotics. Aspergillus niger is a mold that can cause disease mainly in severely immunocompromised individuals, not the common consequence of antibiotic use in otherwise healthy individuals.

Antibiotics can disrupt the protective bacterial flora that normally keep yeast growth in check. Candida albicans is a common fungus that lives in small numbers in the mouth, gut, and vagina, and when bacterial competitors are reduced by antibiotics, Candida can overgrow and cause candidiasis. This is a classic antibiotic-associated opportunistic infection, which is why Candida albicans is the best choice.

The other organisms listed are not the typical antibiotic-associated opportunistic fungus. E. coli is a bacterium that's part of the gut flora; antibiotics can alter bacterial balance but it’s not the classic yeast overgrowth problem. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial pathogen that can cause infections, but again, it’s not the familiar overgrowth issue seen with antibiotics. Aspergillus niger is a mold that can cause disease mainly in severely immunocompromised individuals, not the common consequence of antibiotic use in otherwise healthy individuals.