Candidiasis is a broad term that refers to cutaneous, mucosal and deep-seated organ infections caused by fungi of the Candida genus, which can occur at any age and usually occur in the setting of easily identifiable risk factors for infection. Invasive candidiasis refers to bloodstream infections with Candida spp. (that is, candidaemia) and deep-seated infection — such as intra-abdominal abscess, peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue that covers the inner wall of the abdomen and abdominal organs) or osteomyelitis ( infection of the bones) — with or without candidaemia (FIG. 1). Invasive candidiasis is an emerging infection closely linked to advances in medical technology and is widely recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the health-care environment1–6. At least 15 distinct Candida spp. can cause human disease, but the majority of invasive infections are caused by five pathogens: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropical...