Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D (2024)

There are over 100 species in the genus Candida, however only few of them are harmful to humans. A widespread commensal fungus called Candida albicans colonizes the skin of healthy people, the gastrointestinal and vaginal tracts, and the oropharynx, especially in immunocompromised people. C. albicans is a normal component of the microbiota's flora in 50% of the population. Candida can present with a wide range of clinical symptoms before developing into an opportunistic infection. These symptoms might include localized, superficial mucocutaneous problems or invasive, potentially fatal diseases involving several organ systems. The expression of virulence factors like adhesins and invasins, the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, the transition from yeast (at 37°C) to filamentous hyphae (molds) (at 22°C), and the capacity to form biofilms are characteristics of the interaction between Candida albicans and host cells. These characteristics taken together lead to cell adhesion, invasion, and damage. Several virulence factors that contribute to disease are expressed by Candida albicans. These include morphogenesis (the reversible change between unicellular yeast cells and filamentous, growing forms), secreted aspartyl proteases, and phospholipases. Host recognition biomolecules include adhesins. Primary and secondary candidiasis is the two categories of oral candidiasis, which have different clinical presentations. The gastrointestinal tract serves as the body's primary source of Candida albicans, and immune system malfunction, mucosal barrier degradation, and dysbiosis of the home microbiota all contribute to the development of infections. Candida infections that cause invasive candidemia are linked to the prevalence of Candida albicans in the blood.