Candidiasis. Light micrograph of Candida sp. stained with methylene blue, found in a sample of urine. Candida is a yeast-like fungus commonly present on the skin, and in the upper respiratory, alimentary and female genital tracts. It is normally harmless although it may become pathogenic when the body's resistance is weakened through malnutrition, diabetes or antibiotic treatment. It can then cause a number of diseases including thrush in the mouth and vagina, and vulvo-vaginitis, a discharge from the vagina. The fungus produces hyphae (strands) carrying the blastospores (ovals 2-3 microns in diameter). Magnification: x630 at 35mm size.