Opportunistic Infections, Immune Dysfunction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a clinical syndrome associated with deficiency of insulin secretion or action. It is considered one of the largest emerging threats to health in the 21 st century. It is estimated that there will be 380 million persons with Diabetes mellitus in 2025 (Atkins et al., 2010). Besides the classical complications of the disease, DM has been associated with reduced response of T cells, neutrophil function, and disorders of humoral immunity (Muller et al., 2005). Consequently, DM increases the susceptibility to infections, both the most common ones as well as those that almost always affect only people with DM (e.g. rhinocerebral mucormycosis)(Peleg et al., 2007). Such infections, in addition to the repercussions associated with its infectivity, may trigger DM complications such as hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis. Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immune compromised individuals (such as diabetes mellitus) and Candida are among the most common pathogens in these patients (Pahwa, 2015). The prevalence of diabetes has been on the increase. Diabetes is associated with certain diseases such as candidiasis (Bader et al., 2015). Candida species are important nosocomial pathogens in critically ill patients and are associated with substantial mortality and 1 prolonged hospitalization in the intensive care unit