Candida esophagitis: a prospective study of 27 cases.

A prospective study of candida esophagitis was undertaken to determine the spectrum of this disease in a general hospital. During 1 year, in 370 consecutive endoscopies, 27 patients with Candida esophagitis were detected. The diagnosis was established by finding white plaques on endoscopy, yeast organisms on microscopic examination of a direct smear from the plaques, and a serum agglutinin titer of at least 1:160. Of these 27 patients, 14 had esophageal symptoms. Twelve patients were reendoscoped after nystatin or nystatin and flucytosine therapy. Nine patients showed absence of lesions, a negative smear, and disappearance of symptoms. Control patients had no plaques on endoscopy, no yeast organisms on microscopical examination of esophageal brushings, and a positive titer in 4 to 17% of cases. A minimal agglutinin titer of 1:160 was found in 4 to 12% of two additional groups on controls. Absence of titer precluded a diagnosis of Candida esophagitis.