candidia

Candidia is commonly a misspelling of Candida, a genus of yeasts that includes many clinically important species.

Candida is a genus of yeasts in the family Saccharomycetaceae. It comprises numerous species, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida auris. Most species are harmless commensals in humans, colonizing mucosal surfaces such as the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina, as well as the skin.

Under certain conditions, Candida can overgrow and invade tissues, causing candidiasis. Candida albicans is the most frequent cause of human infection, but non-albicans species are increasingly implicated, particularly in healthcare settings. Risk factors include immunosuppression, antibiotic use that disrupts normal flora, diabetes, invasive medical devices, prolonged hospitalization, and neonatal or elderly age.

Infections range from mucocutaneous to invasive disease. Mucosal candidiasis includes oral thrush, esophagitis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis, as well as cutaneous or intertriginous infections. Invasive candidiasis occurs when Candida enters the bloodstream or internal organs, commonly in critically ill or immunocompromised patients with indwelling catheters or following major surgery.

Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion supported by laboratory tests. Microscopy and culture on appropriate media (often Sabouraud dextrose agar) are standard, with species identification by biochemical methods or MALDI-TOF. Nonculture methods, such as beta-D-glucan assays, may aid in suspected invasive disease; blood cultures are essential for confirmed candidemia.

Treatment depends on infection type and species and may include topical antifungals for mucosal disease and systemic antifungal therapy for invasive disease. Agents include azoles (eg, fluconazole), echinocandins (eg, caspofungin), and amphotericin B. Management often involves removing or replacing invasive devices and antifungal stewardship to limit resistance. Resistance is rising in some species, notably C. glabrata and C. auris.