candida

/kan"di deuh/, n.

any of the yeastlike fungi constituting the genus Candida, members of which may cause athlete's foot, vaginitis, thrush, or other infections. Cf. candidiasis.

[1923; < NL; L: fem. of candidus bright, light; see CANDID]

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Any of the parasitic imperfect fungi (see fungus) that make up the genus Candida, which resemble yeasts and occur especially in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract.

Though usually benign, candidas can become pathogenic, causing diseases including candidiasis and thrush.

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▪ fungus

      Any of the pathogenic and parasitic fungi (see fungus) that make up the genus Candida in the order Saccharomycetales, which contains the ascomycete yeasts (yeast). Candida primarily occur in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. Though usually benign, candidas can become pathogenic, causing diseases such as candidiasis and thrush.

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