[Contribution of proctosigmoidoscopy in colonopathies caused by Candida albicans]

When the endoscopic lesion typical anorectocolonic candidiasis is absent, the author demonstrates that mild cases of colonopathy due to Candida albicans do not always present the commonly described classic symptoms of anomarginal, copperhued, running lesions... The proctosigmoidoscope reveals that in half of the cases with concurrent ordinary digestive troubles and Candida albicans present in the stools, the mucosa is congestive and, very often, the rectal cytology disturbed. A good correlation exists between modifications of the rectosigmoid mucosa and the number of Candida albicans colonies isolated from the feces of these patients. In addition, anal pruritus, a rare clinical event by itself, can be attributed to candidiasis using the proctosigmoidoscope and coproculture. Mild anorectocolonic candidiasis can exist as a secondary infection with chronic inflammatory colitis (ulcerative colitis, etc.) or acute mucous colitis. These infections can also be primary and, in these cases, sometimes appear consequent to recent antibiotic therapy.