The Candida parapsilosis family has emerged as a major opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen. It causes multifaceted pathology in immuno-compromised and normal hosts, notably low birth weight neonates. Its emergence may relate to an ability to colonize the skin, proliferate in glucose-containing solutions, and adhere to plastic. When clusters appear, determination of genetic relatedness among strains and identification of a common source are important. Its virulence appears associated with a

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... acity to produce biofilm and production of phospholipase and aspartyl protease. Further investigations of the host-pathogen interactions are needed. This review summarizes basic science, clinical and experimental information about C. parapsilosis.