Pichia kudriavzevii (formerly Candida krusei[1][2]) is a budding yeast (a species of fungus) involved in chocolate production.

P. kudriavzevii is an emerging fungal nosocomial pathogen[3] primarily found in the immunocompromised and those with hematological malignancies.

Other Candida species that also fit this profile are C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guillermondii and C. rugosa.

P. kudriavzevii can be successfully treated with voriconazole, amphotericin B, and echinocandins (micafungin, caspofungin, and anidulafungin).

This characteristic, together with its "long grain rice" appearance on microscopy, helps the definitive identification of the species.