Which infection is commonly associated with a compromised immune system?

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Thrush, also known as oropharyngeal candidiasis, is caused by the overgrowth of the Candida fungus and is especially prevalent in individuals with weakened immune systems. This condition often manifests in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapies, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or transplant recipients. The compromised immune response fails to keep the naturally occurring yeast in the mouth and throat in check, allowing it to proliferate and cause symptoms like white patches in the mouth and discomfort.

Aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, and tuberculosis can also affect immunocompromised individuals, but thrush is particularly indicative of such a state because it directly reflects an imbalance in the body's ability to control yeast that is commonly present in small amounts. This makes thrush a particularly telling sign of immune dysfunction in patients.

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