Etiology

• Most common: Candida albicans (C. albicans)
  • A type of dimorphic fungus that can form:
    • Oval, budding yeast and hyphae and long pseudohyphae at 20oC
    • Germ tubes at 37oC
  • Ubiquitous on healthy skin as well as in the oropharyngeal cavity, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and vagina

Pathophysiology

• Local infection: imbalance in local flora (e.g., triggered by antibiotic use) → local overgrowth of C. albicans → local mucocutaneous infection (e.g., oropharyngeal infection, vaginitis)
• Systemic (invasive) infection: local mucocutaneous infection → breach of skin/mucosal barrier or translocation (IV catheterization, ascending infection in pyelonephritis, or resorption via GIT) → direct invasion of bloodstream (candidemia) → spread to visceral tissues → disseminated organ infection (e.g., pyelonephritis, endocarditis)