Candidiasis

Question 1

Define candidiasis

Answer 1

Infection caused by yeast Candida species particularly Candida albicans

Question 2

What are the causes/risk factors of candidiasis?

Answer 2

Oral candidiasis
• Hyposalivation/xerostomia
• Poor oral hygiene
• Denture wearers
• Malabsorption/malnutrition
• Immunocompromised
- Chemotherapy
-  HIV
-  Advanced malignancy=
- Diabetes
- Corticosteroids

Systemic candidiasis
• Central venous catheter
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Surgery
• Immunosuppressants

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of candidiasis?

Answer 3

Pseudomembranous oral candidiasis
• Creamy white/yellowish plaques
• Dysphagia/odynophagia (oesophageal involvement)

Erythematous oral candidiasis
• Atrophic fiery red flat lesions
• Burning oral pain
• Patchy areas of loss of filiform papillae on the dorsum of the tongue

Angular cheilitis
• Cracks, ulcers or crusted fissures around the angles of the mouth

Systemic candidiasis
• Fever
• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnoea
• Poor capillary refill
• Oliguria

Question 4

What investigations are carried out for candidiasis?

Answer 4

• superficial smear of lesion for microscopy - positive for Candida hyphae
• biopsy of lesion
• culture of mouth rinse sample
• upper GI endoscopy with or without biopsy of lesions
• urinalysis, random or fasting blood glucose, or glucose tolerance test to exclude diabetes
• HIV antibody test
• sialometry
• electrolyte panel