Candida albicans

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Candida albicans

Candida albicans (pronounced: /ˈkændɪdə ælˈbɪkænz/) is a diploid fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells and a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections in humans.

Etymology

The term Candida comes from the Latin word 'candidus', meaning 'white'. Albicans also derives from the Latin word 'albus', meaning 'becoming white', which refers to the appearance of the colonies grown on agar plates.

Description

Candida albicans is an organism that is part of the normal microbiota of the body's mucous membranes including the gut, respiratory tract, and skin. Under certain conditions, it can cause infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Related Terms

  • Candidiasis: An infection caused by Candida albicans.
  • Thrush (oral): A common infection of the mouth and throat caused by Candida albicans.
  • Candida (genus): A genus of yeasts, Candida albicans being the most widely known species.
  • Immunocompromised: A state in which the immune system is not functioning normally, making the individual more susceptible to infections, including those by Candida albicans.

See Also

External links

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