Which group of people is most likely to develop candidiasis?

Candidiasis, caused by the Candida species of fungi, is most prevalent in immunocompromised individuals. This group includes people with weakened immune systems due to various reasons, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or prolonged use of immunosuppressive medications for autoimmune conditions. When the immune system is compromised, the body is less able to control the growth of Candida, leading to higher susceptibility to infections, including candidiasis.

While healthy individuals can also develop candidiasis under certain conditions (such as antibiotic use or diabetes), the severe nature of the illness is predominantly observed in those who are immunocompromised. Children and the elderly can have risks for candidiasis, but the emphasis on the immune status makes the immunocompromised group the most likely to experience this infection significantly. Thus, understanding the connection between immunocompromised states and the risk of candidiasis highlights the importance of monitoring and managing those individuals to prevent such infections.