The white plaques or pseudomembranous exudates seen on endoscopy in candida esophagitis are composed of a matted mass of neutrophils, yeast forms, pseudohyphae, and fungal hyphae along with squamous cellular debris.
About the Disease
Esophageal infections can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The most common agents are Candida, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Cytomegalovirus. In South America, Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of esophagitis leading to megaesophagus.