Abstract
Yeasts are opportunistic human pathogens which pathogenicity depends on the general condition of the macroorganism and its immune system, but also on the virulence of individual yeasts. Yeasts can cause both cutaneous and systemic infections.
In typical cases they affect mucosa, skin, nails and gastrointestinal tract. However, under certain circumstances, they can infect any organ.
Invasive candidiasis and candidaemia are the most frequent clinical manifestations of systemic fungal infections, which are also associated with the highest mortality. The article provides the review of the current knowledge of the candida taxonomy, of the clinical picture, of the diagnosis and of the therapy of these diseases.