CANDIDIASIS
CRECIOUS PHIRI
( M P H , B S C , D I P. D S )
Candidiasis
Definition Candidiasis is
the most common oral
fungal infection. Over the
last two decades, the
disease has taken on major
importance.
Etiology: It is usually caused by Candida
albicans, and less frequently by other fungal
species (C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis,
C. parapsilosis).
Predisposing factors are local:
-poor oral hygiene, xerostomia, mucosal
damage, dentures, antibiotic mouthwashes
Systemic (broad-spec-trum
antibiotics, steroids,
immunosuppressive drugs,
radiation, HIV infection,
hematological malignancies,
neutropenia, iron-deficiency
anemia, cellular
immunodeficiency, endocrine
Clinical features
Oral candidiasis is classified as :
Primary: consisting of lesions exclusively on
the oral and perioral area,
Secondary: consisting of oral lesions of
mucocutaneous disease.
Primary candidiasis includes five clinical
varieties: pseudomembranous, erythematous,
nodular, papillary hyperplasia of the palate,
and Candida-associated lesions: (angular
cheilitis, median rhomboid glossitis, denture
stomatitis).
PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS CANDIDIASISIS:
the most common form of the disease, and is
clinically characterized by creamy-white,
slightly elevated, removable spots or plaques.
The lesions may be localized or generalized,
and appear more frequently on the buccal
mucosa, soft palate, tongue, and lips.
Xerostomia, a burning sensation, and an un-
pleasant taste are the most common
symptoms.
NODULAR CANDIDIASISIS: a chronic form of
the disease; it appears clinically as a white, firm,
and raised plaque that usually does not detach
MUCOCUTANEOUS CANDIDIASISIS: a
heterogeneous and rare group of clinical
syndromes, characterized by chronic lesions of
the skin, nails, and mucosae, and usually
associated with immunological defects.
Clinically, the oral lesions appear as white and
usually multiple plaques, which cannot be
removed
LABORATORY TESTS: Cytology and tissue
culture examination; biopsy only in chronic cases.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Leukoplakia,
hairy leukoplakia, lichen planus, syphilitic mucous
patches, white sponge nevus, chemical and
traumatic lesions, cinnamon contact stomatitis,
lupus erythematosus.
TREATMENT :Topical antifungal agents
(nystatin, azole derivatives, am-photericin B).
Systemic azoles (ketoconazole, fluconazole,
itraconazole).
THE END
