{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Candida albicans is a fungal yeast found in human gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, which acts as a beneficial microbe in healthy individuals. C. albicans has a yeast form (associated with initial attachment to the host), a pseudohyphae form, and a filamentous hyphae form noted for formation of biofilms, invasion of host tissues, and secretion of digestive molecules for nutrient acquisition. C. albicans can become an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, particularly patients with HIV, undergoing chemotherapy, or taking antibiotics.\nInfection with C. albicans can result in oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in the oral cavity, intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) in the gastrointestinal tract, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and hematogenously disseminated candidiasis (HDC) in the bloodstream. In OPC, both hyphae and yeast forms can be infectious. Erythematous lesions can form in the skin and mucosal membranes, and white pseudomembranous lesions can infect the buccal mucosa, palate, tongue, and alveolar ridges (thrush). In HDC, hyphae strains of C. albicans can also infect the kidneys, liver, spleen, abdominal wall, and meninges. Resulting tissue damage can be extensive and difficult to diagnose, with non-specific symptoms and the insufficient sensitivity of blood cultures."}]}]}