Candida

A genus of yeastlike fungi commonly found in nature; a few species are isolated from the skin, feces, and vaginal and pharyngeal tissue, but the gastrointestinal tract is the source of the single most important species, C. albicans. [L. candidus, dazzling white]

- C. albicans a fungal species ordinarily a part of humans' normal gastrointestinal flora, but which becomes pathogenic when there is a disturbance in the balance of flora or in an impairment of the host defenses from other causes; resulting disease states may vary from limited to generalized cutaneous or mucocutaneous infections, to severe and fatal systemic disease including endocarditis, septicemia, and meningitis. SYN: thrush fungus.

- C. glabrata a fungal species that is a cause of human candidiasis; formerly classified as Torulopsis glabrata.

- C. parapsilosis a species of limited pathogenicity that may cause endocarditis, paronychia, and otitis externa.

- C. tropicalis a species occasionally associated with candidiasis.

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can·di·da 'kan-dəd-ə n

1) cap a genus of parasitic fungi that resemble yeasts, produce small amounts of mycelium, occur esp. in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract where they are usu. benign but can become pathogenic, and have been grouped with the imperfect fungi but are now often placed with the ascomycetes

2) any fungus of the genus Candida esp one (C. albicans) causing thrush

can·di·dal -dəd-əl adj

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n.

a genus of yeast (formerly called Monilia) that inhabit the vagina and alimentary tract and can - under certain conditions - cause candidosis. The species C. albicans, a small oval budding fungus, is primarily responsible for candidosis.

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Can·di·da (kanґdĭ-də) [L. candidus glowing white] a genus of yeastlike Fungi Imperfecti of the form-family Cryptococcaceae that produce yeast cells, mycelia, pseudomycelia, and blastospores. Some species are part of the normal flora of the skin and mucous membranes but can also cause infections. Formerly called Monilia, Mycotoruloides, and Oidium.