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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Newguy on September 18, 2012, 01:56:28 pm

Title: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: Newguy on September 18, 2012, 01:56:28 pm
Hi everyone

I know I should be asking my doctor and I probably will but I have a question regarding exposure to Candida albicans. This yeast can be problematic in people wth seriously compromised immune systems, and although my immune system is around 330-400 21% I found out in my grad program today that I will be working with it.

During my orientation with the prof, when she explained her research she mentioned that it can be a problem with immunocompromised individuals. I did not disclose to her my status and I prefer not to. Although she would probably be very supportive since her objective is to create drugs to clear pathogens from the human body. But anyhow, I am going to go ahead and take on the project since it sounds interesting but should I be concerned? I mean what if I inhale some in my system? I could wear a mask in the lab I suppose. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated and would go a long way in easing some anxiety.
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: elf on September 19, 2012, 05:08:02 pm
You can use fluconazole as prophylaxis, but ask your doctor...
Candida albicans can appear even in people with great numbers:
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1413-86702007000600016&script=sci_arttext
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: J.R.E. on September 19, 2012, 06:31:30 pm
Hi There,


Good hygiene, is important in helping to  prevent infections with thrush  ( candida albicans).

The only time I had that infection, was back in July of 2003.  At that time, it went deep down into my esophagus, (Esophageal candidiasis), and caused some serious issues. It was diagnosed with an endoscopy, and successfully treated with Diflucan.  I was not on HAART at the time. HAART started around 3 months later.

My t-cells at that time were around 16.  I've never had thrush infection, since that time.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophageal_candidiasis




This site offers a great lesson and ways to help prevent it:


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Candidiasis_6839.shtml


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Candidiasis_6843.shtml


Ray

Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: mecch on September 19, 2012, 06:56:34 pm
She is your boss as well? This is a paid position somehow?  Is that why you don't want to disclose?   How often will you be exposed?   

I dunno but at the very least if she said it is a potential problem, seems to me you must ask your doctor if you can work with it, or not. 
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: buginme2 on September 19, 2012, 07:29:26 pm
If you are at a University doing research with Candida doesn't your lab use  precautions?  Are you not protected?
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: bocker3 on September 19, 2012, 07:48:02 pm
If you follow proper procedures you shouldn't come in contact with the C. Albicans.  In all microbiology labs that I ever worked, we only worked on fungal cultures inside a protective hood.  You should wear protective clothing, gloves and mask, if needed for what you are doing.
So please do talk with your doctor, but more importantly, IMO, please educate yourself on the proper way to work in a laboratory that contains pathogens.  this is important whether you are POZ or not.

Mike
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: Newguy on September 19, 2012, 09:48:00 pm
Thanks to all the fantastic replies! Wow what a community!

I am currently enrolled in a grad program in biotechnology, and I have to do a six credit one year project. The process involves me meeting with a supervisor and then I do a project for them and present it at the end of the year. My supervisor happens to be working on the pathogen Candida albicans, and she mentioned in passing what her research interests were and this is when she mentioned that it can be problem with immuno compromised individuals so her objective is to isolate novel proteins that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes. She knows nothing about my status and frankly speaking unless it is another gay person that I am about to sleep with I am done with disclosing. So, I would rather not bring it up but I was concerned about whether it might be an issue but by reading the replies I think it will be fine. I also left a message with my doctor so he should be getting back to me soon.

Best to all and thank you!
Title: Re: Question about Candida albicans
Post by: Ann on September 20, 2012, 09:44:08 am

My supervisor happens to be working on the pathogen Candida albicans, and she mentioned in passing what her research interests were and this is when she mentioned that it can be problem with immuno compromised individuals so her objective is to isolate novel proteins that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.


It sounds to me like your supervisor was saying that she is doing the research because C. albicans is a problem for immunocompromised individuals, NOT that she is saying doing the research will be a problem for immunocompromised individuals.

As Mike told you;


If you follow proper procedures you shouldn't come in contact with the C. Albicans.  In all microbiology labs that I ever worked, we only worked on fungal cultures inside a protective hood.  You should wear protective clothing, gloves and mask, if needed for what you are doing.


Your supervisor should be following the proper precautionary procedures herself as well as ensuring her students are too. You can ask her what protective measures are in place for this research without disclosing your hiv status. C. albicans can be a concern for everyone, it just happens to be more bothersome for poz folks like us.

If you're not happy that she's following the correct procedures, talk to your doctor about how you should deal with the situation. It may be that she needs to be reminded about health and safety in a laboratory setting.

Please keep in mind that everyone, poz or neg, has C. albicans in and on their bodies at all times. We also have friendly bacteria in and on our bodies that keep C. albicans in check. It's only when an overgrowth of C. albicans happens that we get problems that are commonly called "thrush" or "yeast" infections. Taking antibiotics will also kill off our friendly bacteria, so many people - again, both poz and neg - can end up with a thrush infection while/after taking a course of antibiotics. I always have since I was a teenager, long before I became poz.

So yeah, there should be precautionary, protective measures and procedures in place for this research. Even a healthy person can end up with a thrush infection if they're over-exposed to C. albicans.

Hope that helps!