7 Fungal Infections Flashcards
organism that causes candidiasis
Candida albicans
a normal component of the oral microflora in 30-50% of the population
Candida albicans
the most common ORAL fungal infection in humans
candidiasis
not just an opportunistic infection!! develops in people who are otherwise healthy too
candidiasis
Three main factors that determine whether a candidiasis infection will occur:
1) immune status of pt
2) pt’s oral mucosal environment
3) pt’s particular strain of C. albicans
predisposing factors to candidiasis infection (5)
- antibiotic use
- wearing a denture or appliance
- steroid inhaler use
- xerostomia
- immunosuppression
clinical patterns of candidiasis (4)
pseudomembranous candidiasis
erythematous candidiasis
angular cheilitis
chronic hyperplastic candidiasis
Name the candidiasis infection: aka thrush
pseudomembranous
Name the candidiasis infection: white plaques resembling cottage cheese that adhere to the oral mucosa
pseudomembranous
White plaques characteristic of pseudomembranous candidiasis consist of (3)
fungal hyphae, epithelial cells, and debris
Name the candidiasis infection: plaques CAN be scraped off, underlying mucosa may appear normal or erythematous
pseudomembranous
most common locations of pseudomembranous candidiasis
buccal mucosa, palate, dorsal tongue
Name the candidiasis infection: symptoms are mild (if present at all), unpleasant taste
pseudomembranous candidiasis
Common causes/situations of pseudomembranous candidiasis (4)
- recent broad-spectrum antibiotic
- impairment of the patient’s immune system
- infants (underdeveloped immune system)
- steroid inhalers for asthma
Name the candidiasis infection: very common but overlooked clinically
erythematous candidiasis
Several sub-categories of erythematous candidiasis:
- dorsal tongue (acute atrophic candidiasis, central papillary atrophy)
- palate
- denture stomatitis
Name the candidiasis infection: • focal redness and loss of the filiform papillae on the midline and posterior dorsal tongue • chronic and asymptomatic • usually somewhat symmetric • smooth surface
central papillary atrophy (median rhomboid glossitis)
Name the candidiasis infection:
• aka “antibiotic sore mouth”
• typically occurs after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy
acute atrophic candidiasis (erythematous candidiasis)
Name the candidiasis infection:
• pts complain that their mouth feels like they have “scalded” it
• diffuse loss of the filiform papillae on the dorsal tongue, while tongue looks red and smooth
acute atrophic candidiasis (erythematous candidiasis)
Name the candidiasis infection: erythema localized to the denture-bearing mucosa, may have petechial hemorrhages, usually asymptomatic
denture stomatitis (erythematous candidiasis)
Name the candidiasis infection: true candidal infection or just tissue response to microorganisms embedded in the denture acrylic? cultures usually show heavy colonization of the denture but not of the mucosa, consider the possibility of allergy or inadequately cured acrylic
denture stomatitis (erythematous candidiasis)
Name the candidiasis infection: erythema, cracking, and fissuring at the corners of the mouth
angular cheilitis
Angular cheilitis can occur in anyone, but especially in patients with?
decreased VDO—saliva pools in the accentuated folds keeping them moist
Angular cheilitis may be a combined infection:
20% C. albicans alone
20% Staph aureus alone
60% C. albicans and Staph aureus together