Esophagitis Candida

Alternative names:

Candida infection of the esophagus; yeast infection of the esophagus

Symptoms:

• difficulty swallowing
• painful swallowing
• may have Candida in the mouth (oral thrush, with white mouth sores)
• 95% of AIDS patients who have oral thrush and difficulty swallowing have candidal esophagitis

Signs and tests:

Tests that show Candida include:

• an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) with or without biopsy
• a culture of esophageal brushing
• a throat swab culture
• an upper GI and small bowel series (gastrointestinal X-rays)

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial