Candida is a
genus of
yeasts and is the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide. Many species are harmless
commensals or
endosymbionts of hosts including humans; however, when mucosal barriers are disrupted or the immune system is compromised they can invade and cause disease.
Candida albicans is the most commonly isolated species, and can cause infections (
candidiasis or thrush) in
humans and other animals. In
winemaking, some species of
Candida can potentially
spoil wines.