Yeasts are not often a cause of infection. These organisms are not highly invasive. However, in patients who have some interference with defense mechanisms, yeast can gain a foothold and can cause disease. Aging changes in the skin, the vagina, and the oropharynx (the mouth and throat) offer opportunities for yeast to become infective. Diseases such as diabetes, HIV infection, and cancer may increase susceptibility to yeast infection. Treatment that interferes with immunity such as steroid therapy or cancer chemotherapy also increases susceptibility to this infection.
