Candida and Candidiasis.Richard A. Calderone, editor American Society for Microbiology The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is a scientific organization, based in the United States although with over 43,000 members throughout the world. It is the largest single life science professional organization and its members include those whose interests encompass basic Press, Washington, 2001; 472 pages. Yeast of the genus Candida Noun 1. genus Candida - a genus of yeastlike imperfect fungi; sometimes included in genus Monilia of the family Moniliaceae fungus genus - includes lichen genera have exploded into prominence in recent years as opportunistic and nosocomial nosocomial /noso·co·mi·al/ (nos?o-ko´me-il) pertaining to or originating in a hospital. nos·o·co·mi·al adj. 1. Of or relating to a hospital. 2. fungal pathogens. However, the most recent textbook on these organisms was written in 1988. Candida and Candidiasis candidiasis (kăn'dĭdī`əsĭs), infection of the mucous membranes caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Other terms for candidiasis are yeast infection, moniliasis (after a former name of the fungal genus), and thrush, the is a worthy successor in providing comprehensive information on the biology of these organisms. A total of 28 chapters cover the general properties, virulence factors, cell biology, immunity, genomics, diseases, and laboratory aspects of Candida species, with particular emphasis on its most prominent member, Candida albicans Candida albicans, n a pathogenic yeast, which is the causal agent of thrush, vaginal infections, and systemic candidiasis. Candida albicans . The strongest chapters are those covering research aspects of these organisms. Complex subjects like the chemistry of the cell wall, host recognition and adherence, the cell biology of the yeast-hyphal transformation, and extracellular hydrolases as virulence factors in C. albicans are well summarized with clear, useful graphics and current references. The book is beautifully laid out, with a series of color plates that help describe phenotype switch variants and chromosome maps. The clinical chapters appear rather superficial for an infectious diseases clinician but may be useful to a student seeking basic material. The chapter on identification and subtyping contains information available in other sources for less than the cost of this book. A discussion of current practices in antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species would have been helpful. Chapters 2 and 4 contain repetitious rep·e·ti·tious adj. Filled with repetition, especially needless or tedious repetition. rep  e·ti material, including photographs of C. dubliniensis. A consolidated chapter on the epidemiology of Candida infections should be considered for the next edition. The chapters covering the cell biology are most useful, either as a comprehensive overview or as a reference text for researchers and students interested in the biology of these organisms. Mary E. Brandt Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
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