Disseminated infections arise from hematogenous spread from the primarily infected locus. Candida albicans is the most pathogenic and most commonly encountered species among all. Its ability to adhere to host tissues, produce secretory aspartyl proteases and phospholipase enzymes, and transform from yeast to hyphal phase are the major determinants of its pathogenicity. The colonies of Candida spp. The microscopic features of Candida spp.
All species produce blastoconidia singly or in small clusters.
Blastoconidia may be round or elongate. Most species produce pseudohyphae which may be long, branched or curved. True hyphae and chlamydospores are produced by strains of some Candida spp. Candida guilliermondii Candida dubliniensis Other species of Candida Histopathologic Features See our histopathology page. Compare to Candida spp.