Definition

Noun: * A parasitic fungus that can infect the mouth, skin, intestines, or vagina. This term is an older, less specific name for the yeast Candida albicans, which causes infections commonly known as thrush or candidiasis.

Usage

• The term 'Monilia albicans' is primarily used in historical or older medical literature. In modern clinical and scientific contexts, the organism is almost exclusively referred to as .
• It is used to identify the causative agent of a fungal infection.
  • Example: The laboratory report identified the pathogen as Monilia albicans.

Advanced Usage

• The genus name was historically used for a group of fungi that produce chains of conidia (asexual spores). Advances in taxonomy reclassified the medically important species into the genus .

Variants and Related Words

• Candida albicans (n): The current, scientifically accepted name for the fungus.
• Candidiasis (n): The general medical term for an infection caused by species.
• Thrush (n): The common name for infection of the mouth or throat.
• Yeast infection (n): A common term, often referring specifically to vaginal candidiasis.

Synonyms

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the fungal species itself, not the condition it causes. The condition is called candidiasis.
• It is an obligate synonym for ; the two terms refer to the identical biological organism, with being the valid name.

Noun

1. a parasitic fungus that can infect the mouth or the skin or the intestines or the vagina