Candidiasis is caused by *Candida* species, which are yeasts. On a potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount, *Candida* typically appears as budding yeast cells (blastoconidia) and pseudohyphae (elongated yeast cells that resemble true hyphae but are constricted at the septa). Septate hyphae with arthrospores are characteristic of dermatophytes (e.g., in tinea infections). Large, thick-walled spherules are seen in coccidioidomycosis. Branching, filamentous bacteria might suggest conditions like erythrasma or actinomycosis, but not candidiasis.
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