APPLE

 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 tropicalis,

Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei2–5. In certain

parts of the world, a previously rare organism, Candida

auris, has emerged as a major pathogen