The most typical esophageal infection is Candida esophagitis (CE). Although non-albicans species like Candida glabrata and
Candida tropicalis are becoming more common, Candida albicans is the primary cause. In up to 20% of cases, the
gastrointestinal commensal Candida albicans colonizes the esophagus. Candida species can cause serious systemic infections
such bacteremia in addition to local mucosal membrane infections of the esophagus, oropharynx, and vagina. Dysphagia and
odynophagia, or difficulty swallowing, are common symptoms of CE patients and are frequently localized to one specific
retrosternal region. Oral "thrush" frequently coexists with immunosuppressed people (such as those suffering from acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, or "AIDS"). Even though many CE patients may not have any symptoms, the diagnosis can be
aided if a patient experiencing esophageal symptoms has oropharyngeal candidiasis.