From the Guidelines
Yeast and Candida are related but distinct, with Candida being a specific genus of yeast that can cause health problems, whereas yeast is a broader term encompassing many species with varying roles. The difference between yeast and Candida lies in their classification and potential impact on human health. Candida is a type of yeast, but not all yeasts are Candida. According to 1, Candida species are temporary or permanent parts of the normal endogenous flora in the gut in 40–50% of humans, and they can cause infections when conditions change, such as with antibiotic use or weakened immunity. Some key points to consider:
- Candida includes several species, with Candida albicans being the most common in humans, often residing harmlessly in the mouth, gut, and vagina 2.
- Other yeasts, like Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's and brewer's yeast), are beneficial and used in food production.
- The key distinction is that Candida is a specific type of yeast that can sometimes cause health problems, while the broader yeast category includes many species with various roles, from beneficial to pathogenic.
- Infections due to Candida species are major causes of morbidity and mortality in humans, causing a diverse spectrum of clinical disease ranging from superficial and mucosal infections to invasive disease associated with candidemia and metastatic organ involvement 2. In clinical practice, it is essential to recognize the difference between yeast and Candida to provide appropriate treatment and management for patients with Candida infections, prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcomes.
From the Research
Difference between Yeast and Candida
- Yeast is a broad term that encompasses many species of fungi, including Candida 3.
- Candida is a specific genus of yeast that includes about 200 different species, with only a few being human opportunistic pathogens 4.
- Candida species are mainly associated with plants, rotting vegetation, insects, and food, but some species can occur normally in humans and other warm-blooded animals 3.
- While yeast can refer to any type of yeast, Candida is a specific type of yeast that can cause infections in humans, particularly in those with compromised immune systems 4.
Characteristics of Candida
- Candida species have a wide range of characteristics, including different CoQ types, mol % G + C ranges, and phylogenetic relationships 3.
- Some Candida species can utilize xylose, cellobiose, and other plant-related compounds, while others require individual vitamins produced mainly in plant materials 3.
- Only a small percentage of Candida species are able to grow at temperatures of 37 degrees C, which is the normal human body temperature 3.
Medical Importance of Candida
- Only a small percentage of Candida species are of medical importance, with less than 5% of currently known species having been clearly demonstrated to cause human infections 3.
- Candida infections can be superficial or invasive, and can be treated with antifungal drugs such as azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes 4, 5, 6, 7.