Candida albicans

EXPLANATION OF CANDIDA IMAGE: Candida yeast cells are ovoid and reproduce by budding (bud shown at upper left corner). They are surrounded by a cell wall whose outer surface is covered by fimbriae (hair-like halo around cell). Immediately inside the cell wall the plasma membrane is illustrated with many finger-like invaginations. The nucleus (purple) can be seen close to the neck. The nucleus is sectioned to reveal the nucleolus.

FUNGI: are classified in their own kingdom (Kingdom Fungi), separate from animals (Kingdom Animalia) and plants (Kingdom Plantae). Fungi are thought to be evolutionarily closer to animals than plants.

Candida albicans: is a pathogenic fungus that is a major health problem. It is present in most people but it is suppressed by competition with other organisms. Candida albicans can become a problem when the competition is reduced (e.g. after treatment with antibiotics) or when immunity drops (e.g. in HIV infection/ AIDS or when immunity is suppressed by drugs used after organ transplantation). It can grow by budding (budding yeast cell as pictured), hyphae, or pseudohyphae and it can form resistant spores (chlamydospores).

candidiasis (candidosis): means infection with Candida (usually Candida albicans).

oral candidiasis: Candida infection of the mouth, also called Thrush. Frequent in neonates since they lack competing organisms (little babies don't yet have all of the other organisms in their mouths that would compete with Candida) .

vaginal candidiasis (candidal vaginitis) / Candida vulvovaginitis / Vaginal Yeast Infection: Candida infection of the vagina and/ or surrounding region.

candidaemia/ candidemia: Candida in the blood.

onychomycosis: fungal infection of a nail, which can be caused by C. albicans.