Candida parapsilosis is a fungal

Fungus

A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...

 species of the yeast

Yeast

Yeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...

 family that has become a significant cause of sepsis

Sepsis

Sepsis is a potentially deadly medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response by the immune system to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues...

 and of wound and tissue infections in immuno-compromised patients. The immune system is a major player in Candida parapsilosis infections. Unlike Candida albicans

Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a diploid fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells and a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections in humans. Systemic fungal infections including those by C...

and Candida tropicalis

Candida tropicalis

Candida tropicalis is a species of yeast in the genus Candida. It is easily recognized as a common medical yeast pathogen, existing as part of the normal human flora.-External links:*...

, Candida parapsilosis is not an obligate human pathogen, having been isolated from nonhuman sources such as domestic animals, insects or soil. Candida parapsilosis is also a normal human commensal and it is one of the fungi most frequently isolated from the human hands. There are several risk factors which can help Candida parapsilosis to colonize human host. Immuno-compromised individuals and surgical patients, particularly those having surgery of the gastrointestinal tract are at high risk for infection with Candida parapsilosis.
There is currently no consensus on the treatment of invasive Candida parapsilosis diseases, although the therapeutic approach typically includes the extraction of any removable foreign bodies and the administration of a systemic anti fungal. Historically, Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal drug, often used intravenously for systemic fungal infections...

 has been the most frequently used anti fungal. Fluconazole

Fluconazole

Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal drug used in the treatment and prevention of superficial and systemic fungal infections. In a bulk powder form, it appears as a white crystalline powder, and it is very slightly soluble in water and soluble in alcohol. It is commonly marketed under the trade...

is a frequently administrated alternative to Amphotericin B.