There are over 100,000 species of fungi. Many fungi are good and useful (edible mushrooms would be an example of these) while some cause problems (some fungi can injure plants and humans). Every week the IEQ Review will describe a specific microorganism, its morphological origin and potential health effects.  If you would like to know about a specific organism and/or would like it published in The IEQ Review please email Dr. Rajiv Sahay with the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDL) at Pure Air Control Services laboratory@pureaircontrols.com.

This week we will cover...   
 
Candida albicans
 

 
This species is the most commonly-isolated yeast in human disease. It has been implicated in both superficial and systemic disease. Recent reports of infections include corneal, nail, ear, endocarditis, and bloodstream. Risk factors for infections with C. albicans include age of 65 years or above, immunosuppression prior to steroid use, leukocytosis, intensive care unit stays, or presence of intravascular or urinary catheters. For those patients who have undergone cancer chemotherapy and who often appear less critically ill, infections are most likely to be caused by Candida species other than C. albicans. Although this species continues to be the most common species isolated in bloodstream infections, reports show that the incidence is decreasing and the resistance is rare in neonatal populations. Candida albicans is also a predominate species in fungal biofilms on medical devises.