Candida parapsilosis

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Candica parapsilosis is a yeast-like fungus that can cause bloodstream infections, wound infections, and tissue infections, especially in people with weak immune systems or after surgery. It is not only found in humans; it lives in the environment, in animals, and on human skin, particularly on the hands.

Who is at risk
- People who are immunocompromised or undergoing surgery, especially gastrointestinal surgery.
- Hospital patients with implanted devices (like catheters or prosthetic valves) or receiving intravenous or parenteral nutrition.
- Low-birth-weight newborns are at higher risk for sepsis from this organism.

Where it lives and how it looks
- C. parapsilosis is common on human skin and in the environment.
- It does not form true hyphae; it grows as yeast or short thread-like cells called pseudohyphae.
- In the lab, it appears as white, creamy colonies. The yeast form is usually smooth, while the pseudohyphae form can look wrinkled.

What infections it can cause
- Bloodstream infections (sepsis), often linked to implanted devices.
- Infections of the skin and gastrointestinal tract.
- Eye infections after surgery or with certain eye medications.
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), especially with prosthetic valves or other risk factors; this condition can be serious and difficult to treat.
- On rare occasions, nail infections (onychomycosis).

How it spreads and why it’s hard to treat
- Transmission often comes from external sources and the fungus can colonize hands and surfaces.
- It forms biofilms on medical devices, which helps it resist antifungal drugs.
- Treatment usually involves removing or replacing the infected device and giving systemic antifungal medicines, such as amphotericin B or fluconazole. There is no single agreed-upon best approach.

Why it matters
- C. parapsilosis is one of the more common non-Candida albicans species and remains an important cause of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections, especially in vulnerable patients.
- Vigilance with infection control, careful use of invasive devices, and appropriate antifungal therapy are key to managing infections caused by this organism.