Phylogeny and Diversity of Candida albicans Vaginal Isolates from Three Continents

Fungal infections have be come a prominent problem over the last 25 years (Martin et al., 2003). This is mainly due to the worldwide increase in the number of immunocompromised patients, who are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections, including mycoses (Fridkin and Jarvis, 1996). Among fungal pathogens responsible for opportunistic infections, species of the genus Candida have a central contribution. These species can infect most patients to some degree and are responsible for superficial infections such as Oropharyngeal Candidiasis and vulvo vaginal candidiasis. Candida species associated with man as human commensals and opportunistic pathogens (Calderone, 2002; Odds, 1988).