Candidiases

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Infections caused by yeast-like fungi from the genus Candida that affect the skin, mucous membranes, or systemic sites; conditions characterized by overgrowth of these fungi leading to symptoms such as irritation or discharge; any disease state involving candidal organisms in a host
2. Medical conditions resulting from fungal invasion by Candida species manifesting typically as superficial or deep infections; diseases associated with the proliferation of these fungi in various body parts causing clinical signs; fungal illnesses induced by Candida-related pathogens
3. Fungal infections brought about by species from the Candida group often affecting moist skin or internal organs; ailments marked by an abnormal increase of yeast fungi causing discomfort or inflammation; pathological states involving candidal colonization or infection within an organism

Etymology: "Candidiases" is simply the plural of "candidiasis," a noun formed by joining "candida" and the suffix "-iasis." The "-iasis" ending comes from Greek and is used in medicine to name a disease or abnormal condition, so the word reads as "the condition caused by Candida." Candida is the genus of yeasts that includes the species most often responsible for these infections, and the name reflects the Latin word for "white," a nod to the pale, creamy colonies the yeast forms. Because the term is built from a genus name plus a medical suffix, the plural follows the Greek-derived pattern, with "candidiases" the form used when referring to more than one such infection or to infections caused by different Candida species. Both the genus and the suffix are modern scientific building blocks, so the word is a technical coinage rather than an old term inherited from classical medicine.

Synonyms: yeast infection, thrush, moniliasis, oral candidiasis, vaginal candidiasis