Thrush

Candida albicans (KAN-dih-duh AL-bih-kanz)
candidus - Latin for "white" or "shining white" or "pure white". Refers to the name of the fungus "Candida", which is responsible for causing the infection.
albus - Latin for "white" or "pale color"

History of Thrush

Thrush may have been described as early as Hippocrates, who referred to mouth sores as aphthae - a term encompassing aphthous ulcerations and infectious diseases of the oral cavity.

In the 1800s, the emergence of germ theory, later popularized by Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) and Robert Koch (1843–1910), transformed medical thinking. Scientists began to propose that microscopic organisms could act as parasites, passing from plants to humans - what some described at the time as “plants acting as parasites in animals.”

In 1842, David Gruby investigated the role of fungi in infant disease. In his paper Gruby D. Recherches anatomiques sur une plante cryptogame quii constitue le vrai muguet des enfants. Comptes Rendus Habdomadaires des Séances de l'Academie des Sciences. Paris 1842; 14: 634-6., he described a cryptogamic organism responsible for true thrush in children.

In 1844, John Hughes Bennett published Bennet J H. On the parasitic vegetable structures found growing in living animals. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1844; 15: 277-94. While groundbreaking, his work conflated the unknown causative agent with spores of cryptogamous plants, reflecting the conceptual uncertainty of the period regarding fungal pathogens.

In 1853, a major advance came from frenchman, Charles Philippe Robin, who provided a clear and detailed description of the fungal organism responsible for thrush. Robin named the organism Oidium albicans and firmly identified it as the causative agent of this painful condition in his book Robin P C. Hystorie naturalle des végétaux parasites qui croissent sur l'homme et les animaux vivants. Balliere et fils, éditeurs. Paris 1853.

Charles Philippe Robin (1821–1885) was born into a bourgeois family and was strongly influenced by his mother, Adelaida Tardy, who came from a prominent medical lineage. He entered the Faculty of Medicine in Paris in 1838 and quickly demonstrated a preference for biological research over clinical practice. He earned his medical degree in 1846 and, the following year, a doctorate in natural sciences, defending two theses - one of which examined plants growing as parasites in humans and animals. Shortly thereafter, he completed a degree in natural history with a thesis on fermentation, further cementing his role as a pioneer of medical mycology.

In 1923, Christine Marie Berkhout reclassified the organism, establishing the genus Candida and formalizing the species name Candida albicans in her book Berkhout C M. De Schimmelgelaschten Monilia, Oidium, Oospora en Torula. Thesis, Rijsuniversiteit te Utrecht, 2923.

The resulting binomial is famously redundant, meaning “white-white.”

This redundancy may be unintentional - or it may reflect a subtle wit. Candida implies a brilliant, shining white, while albicans suggests a dull or matte whiteness: two related yet contrasting shades. Perhaps, with a bit of irony, Berkhout was reminding us that this organism is white - but not quite so white.

Modern Understanding of Thrush

Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, most commonly Candida albicans, which naturally lives in the mouth, throat, digestive tract, and on the skin.

It is a very common oral condition affecting the newborns (oral thrush), but can affects other areas as well, such as the vagina (vaginal thrush) or other areas of the skin.

Causes of Thrush

The frequency of this condition varies with age and the presence of certain risk factors. It is commonly divided into three main forms: acute candidiasis, chronic candidiasis, and angular cheilitis.

Factors that increase the risk include reduced saliva production, certain medications, wearing dentures, a high-carbohydrate diet, extremes of age (very young or elderly), smoking, diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s syndrome, malignancies, and conditions that suppress the immune system.

Treatments for Thrush

Treatment depends on where the fungal infection occurs:
- Oral antifungals - are typically used for infections in the mouth.
- Topical antifungals - are used for skin or vaginal infections.

A healthcare professional can recommend the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.

Lifestyle Changes

- Avoid a diet of high sugar or carbohydrates
- Rinse your mouth with warm water after eating
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Change into clean clothes - especially into clean underwear if vaginal thrush

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