Candida krusei: Morphological Characteristics and Its Impact on the Epidemiology of Fungal Diseases

Abstract

Candida spp. can be found as commensals on the skin, in the mouth, and in the gastrointestinal tract. The growth and spread of this fungus in the normal flora and epithelial cells. Candida spp. has pathogenic potential, causing infections ranging from hair and nail infections to life-threatening systemic infections.1 Candida krusei should be reclassified into a different genus based on its ultrastructure, cell wall composition, and co-enzyme number. The average chromosome number of Candida krusei is 8, while that of Candida albicans is 16. Candida krusei has the most distant relationship compared to Candida albicans, which is medically important in the genus Candida spp. The genus Candida consists of more than 100 species.2 Candida krusei is a yeast classified as an opportunistic organism. It has a unicellular form and appears as elongated or oval buds with a cell size of 2.0-5.5 x 4.0-15.0 μm. When cultured on Malt Agar, it forms large, round, white colonies, while on Wallerstein Laboratory (WL) medium, it appears similar to colonies on Malt Agar but with faster growth.3 Invasive infections caused by Candida species are known as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings. Death caused by candidemia reaches 47%, especially those accompanied by septic shock. The main cause of candidemia is Candida albicans, but in recent years, it has shifted to Candida non-albicans, including C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei....