Question

Moniliasis is one of the most common opportunistic diseases in AIDS patients. What is the etiological agent of moniliasis and what is the other name for the disease? Why is monilia also common in healthy newborns?

Answer 1

The moniliasis is an infection which is caused by a fungus. The etiological agent of moniliasis is Candida albicans. Moniliasis is also known as mucocutaneous candidiasis. In AIDS, moniliasis can complicate and turn into systemic candidiasis which may affect many different organs.

The healthy newborns are more at risk for moniliasis because the immune system of newborns does not work with complete efficiency which makes them more susceptible to candidiasis, which generally appears in the mouth and in the genital mucosae, and disappears naturally.