Which statement about the relationship between flora and Candida infection is accurate?

Which statement about the relationship between flora and Candida infection is accurate?

• A. Candida infections occur when normal bacterial flora are destroyed
• B. Candida infections occur when antibiotics are ineffective
• C. Candida infections are not related to flora
• D. Candida infections only occur in immunocompromised individuals

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that normal bacterial flora keep Candida in check through competition and a balancing environment. When broad-spectrum antibiotics destroy these competing bacteria, the protective balance is disrupted, allowing Candida to overgrow and cause infection. This makes the statement about infections arising when normal bacterial flora are destroyed the best choice, because it reflects how disruption of flora creates a niche for Candida to flourish. Candida infections are not independent of flora; they’re tied to the disruption of the normal microbial balance. They aren’t simply caused by antibiotics being ineffective—it's the loss of competing bacteria that permits overgrowth. And while immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk, Candida infections can also occur in healthy individuals, so they are not restricted to a weakened immune system.

The key idea is that normal bacterial flora keep Candida in check through competition and a balancing environment. When broad-spectrum antibiotics destroy these competing bacteria, the protective balance is disrupted, allowing Candida to overgrow and cause infection. This makes the statement about infections arising when normal bacterial flora are destroyed the best choice, because it reflects how disruption of flora creates a niche for Candida to flourish.

Candida infections are not independent of flora; they’re tied to the disruption of the normal microbial balance. They aren’t simply caused by antibiotics being ineffective—it's the loss of competing bacteria that permits overgrowth. And while immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk, Candida infections can also occur in healthy individuals, so they are not restricted to a weakened immune system.