(kan′dĭd-ă)

[L. candidus, bright white]
A genus of yeasts of the family Cryptococacceae that develop a pseudomycelium and reproduce by budding. Candida (formerly Monilia) species are part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and vagina.

Candida albicans

A Candida species that is the principal cause of candidiasis (moniliasis).

Candida dubliniensis

A Candida species that resembles C. albicans and is capable of causing thrush. It differs from C. albicans in its inability to grow in the laboratory at temperatures exceeding 94°F (42°C). It commonly infects people with HIV/AIDS.

Candida glabrata

A Candida species that is usually nonpathogenic in humans but may cause serious illness in immunocompromised patients. It was formerly called Torulopsis glabrata.

Candida krusei

A Candida species responsible for bloodborne, cardiac, and ocular infections, esp. in immunocompromised patients. It is resistant to fluconazole.

Candida lusitaniae

A Candida species that causes serious infections in immunocompromised, e.g., neutropenic, patients. It is often resistant to treatment with amphotericin B.

Candida parapsilosis

A Candida species that causes serious infections, most often identified in surgical or traumatic wound patients, critically ill newborns, and patients with indwelling devices.

Candida rugosa

A Candida species that causes azole-resistant infections, esp. in patients in medical or surgical ICUs. It is more commonly isolated in Latin American hospitals than in other locations around the world.

Candida tropicalis

A Candida species that, unlike C. albicans, does not produce germ tubes and does not hydrolyze urea. It is responsible for bloodborne infections in patients with diabetes mellitus, leukemias, and lymphomas.