Candida (genus)

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iCandida

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Fungi
Phylum:	Ascomycota
Subphylum:	Saccharomycotina
Class:	Saccharomycetes
Order:	Saccharomycetales
Family:	Saccharomycetaceae
Genus:	Candida

Species

Candida albicans
Candida dubliniensis
Candida glabrata
Candida guilliermondii
Candida kefyr
Candida krusei
Candida lusitaniae
Candida oleophila
Candida parapsilosis
Candida tropicalis
Candida utilis

Candida is a genus of yeasts. The most important being (Candida albicans) that can cause fungal infections (candidiasis or thrush) in humans and other animals. Other species, such as Candida oleophila have uses as biological control agents in fruit.^[1]

Candida grows in the medical laboratory as large, round, white or cream (albicans is Latin meaning 'whitish') colonies on agar plates.

Candida infection may be a problem in HIV positive patients receiving antifungal drugs.

Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by C. albicans may result from taking antiacids or antihyperacidity drugs. This colonization may interfere with absorption of Coenzyme Q10 (Krone, et al., Med Hypotheses 2001 Nov;57(5):570-2).

One of the most common Candida infections is oral candidiasis caused by acrylic dentures, especially in elderly denture wearers (Samaranayake and MacFarlane, 1990 (Oral Candidosis).

Alternative Medicine practitioners often use the term Candida to refer to a complex with broad spectrum of symptoms, the majority of which center around gastrointestinal distress.