Final answer:
When a patient presents with central papillary candidiasis, the first thing to check is their immune system status, as candidiasis is commonly associated with immune compromise. Diagnosis involves clinical observation and laboratory testing, followed by treatment with antifungal agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you see a patient with central papillary candidiasis, the first thing you should check is their immune system status. Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida species, often C. albicans. This type of infection is particularly common among individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other conditions that affect immune function. Candidiasis can manifest in various regions of the body, including the skin, oral cavity, and vagina.
Diagnosing candidiasis typically involves clinical observation and could be complemented by laboratory techniques such as culture, Gram stain, and KOH wet mounts. The clinician may also scrape the lesion to examine it under a microscope for the presence of fungal elements. For effective management, identifying the patient's susceptibility to antifungal agents is pivotal. Treatment usually involves topical or systemic azole medications such as clotrimazole, fluconazole, or ketoconazole.