[Candida-host relationship: physiology and pathology]

The Authors give a detailed analysis of the potential virulence factors and possible pathogenic processes associated with candida. They qualify the interactions between local, general, natural and acquired defences, setting out the possible deficiency involved in the emergence of secondary candidiasis. They make a classificatory revision of forms of candidiasis on the basis of topographic, anatomo-pathologic criteria and of the course of the disease. They investigate the most significant aspects of the situations described especially in oral localization. An evaluation is made of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis as a pathological affection in itself and in its correlation with H.I.V. infection.