A genus of yeast-like fungi that can cause infections in humans, particularly thrush. The most common species is Candida albicans.
From Latin candidus meaning 'white, shining, pure,' referring to the white appearance of the fungal colonies. The genus name was established in 1923, derived from the characteristic white coloration observed in cultures.
Despite its name meaning 'pure' and 'white,' Candida represents one of medicine's great ironies - a organism named for purity that actually causes infections! The fungus naturally lives in our bodies harmlessly until conditions allow it to overgrow.
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