Intestinal Candida Overgrowth and Candida Infection in Patients with Leukemia: Effect of Bifidobacterium Administration

Abstract

The number of intestinal Candida was correlated with the incidence of Candida infection. The number of intestinal Candida was higher in patients receiving antileukemic chemotherapy than in normal subjects. Respiratory and urinary infections were increased in patients with more than 105 Candida/g feces. Bifidobacterium administered orally to patients with more than 105 Candida/g feces, reduced the incidence of infection if the intestinal Candida population fell to less than 104/g feces.