Q. Moniliasis is one of the most common opportunistic diseases in AIDS. What is the etiological agent of moniliasis and what is the other name of the disease? Why is monilia also common in healthy newborns?

The etiological agent of the moniliasis is Candida albicans, a fungus. The Moniliasis is as well known as mucocutaneous candidiasis. In AIDS moniliasis able to complicate and turn into systemic candidiasis affecting many organs.

Newborns don't yet have their immune system working with complete effectiveness and therefore they are more susceptible to candidiasis that generally appears in mouth and in the genital mucosae and disappears naturally.