Thrush on tongue

Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection of the oral mucosa (1).

• it is commonly caused by the yeast Candida albicans, one of the components of normal oral microflora
• other species such as C glabrata, C tropicalis, and C krusei may also be responsible (1)
• Candida species are commensals in the gastrointestinal tract and about 30% to 50% of healthy people carry Candida species as normal flora in their mouth (1)
  • rate of carriage increases with age - Candida albicans are recovered from 60% of dentate patient's mouth over the age of 60 years and especially if dentures are worn(2).

Candida tends to be an opportunistic infection with predisposing factors attributed to the organism (1)

• it is the most frequently seen oral manifestation of HIV infections with up to 90% of patients developing the infection at some stage (3).

Click here for example image of this condition

Reference:

1. Hellstein JW, Marek CL. Candidiasis: red and white manifestations in the oral cavity. Head Neck Pathol. 2019 Mar;13(1):25-32.

2. Daniluk T, Tokajuk G, Stokowska W, et al. Occurrence rate of oral Candida albicans in denture wearer patients. Adv Med Sci. 2006;51(suppl 1):77-80.

3. Reichart PA. Oral manifestations in HIV infection: fungal and bacterial infections, Kaposi's sarcoma. Med Microbiol Immunol. 2003 Aug;192(3):165-9.