Close-up photograph of the mouth of a person suffering from AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), showing severe oral candidiasis (white patches) affecting the palate and rear of the mouth. Candidiasis is an infection of the yeast- like fungus Candida, usually C. albicans, and may occur in several moist areas of the body, such as the skin folds, mouth, respiratory tract and vagina; oral and vaginal candidiasis are often known as thrush. The infection may also appear in persons receiving prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotics.