Candida infection in human.

Sputum, vaginal smear, skin and nail scraping, and oral scraping from 269 suspected cases of fungus infection were examined by microscopy and culture for fungus. One hundred similar specimens from healthy individuals were examined as controls. Statistically significant (p less than 0.001) difference was observed (67.3% versus 7%) in the rate of isolation of fungus in the two groups. Three strains of Candida species were found among the isolates. In sputum, oral scraping and vaginal discharge, C. albicans, and in skin and nail scraping Candida stellatoidia were the prevalent strains. Candida tropicalis was isolated in fair proportion from the skin and nail scraping.