ABSTRACT
Candida albicans and other Candida species belong to the class Fungi Imperfecti, the order Moniliales and the family Cryptococcaceae. C. albicans and related species are opportunistic pathogens that live as commensals in a variety of body locations including the oral cavity, anorectal area, groin, skin and gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals, and the vaginal canal and vulva of healthy women. However, Candida species can also cause a range of superficial and deep-seated infections. While the principle pathogen in the genus is C. albicans, other Candida species are being recognized as major agents of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections as the consequence of specific risk factors associated with modern medical procedures, notably the use of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs, broad spectrum antibiotics and implanted devices. In the USA, candidemia is the fourth most common nosocomial blood-stream infection behind coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci, with a mortality rate approaching 35%. Of the nearly 200 Candida species, fewer than 20 have been associated with human infections. In addition to C. albicans, other frequently encountered Candida species include C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. guilliermondi, C. kefyr (C. pseudotropicalis), C. lusitaniae, C. lipolytica and C. dubliniensis.
