Macrophages infected with Candida yeast spores, SEM

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of two macrophage cells four hours after infection with Candida yeast spores. The projections seen here extending from the macrohpages are candida hyphae growing within the cell. This will eventually kill the cells by causing them to burst. Macrophages are white blood cells of the immune system which engulf and destroy foreign material. They are found in all tissues of the body. Overgrowth of yeasts can result in fungal infections such as thrush (candidiasis). Horizontal image width is 65 microns.