Oral candidiasis (adult)
Alternative names:
adult oral candidiasis; candidiasis - oral (adult)
Definition:
A yeast infection of the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Candida albicans is the organism that causes oral candidiasis and other forms of infection. It is an opportunistic organism meaning that it invades only when the conditions for its growth are optimal.
Oral thrush is a form of oral candidiasis that is frequently seen in infants and is not considered abnormal. However, oral candidiasis in adults should always be considered abnormal and occurs only when conditions that depress the immune system are present. These include AIDS, immunosuppression for transplant recipients, individuals in chemotherapy, diabetes, advanced age, generalized poor health, and inherited abnormalities of the immune system.
Classical symptoms of oral candidiasis include the appearance of whitish velvety plaques on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. If the whitish material is scraped away the base may be red (erythematous) with pinpoint bleeding.
In immunocompromised people the infection may be massive, coating much of the surface of the mouth and tongue. In addition it may spread to the esophagus producing esophagitis candida with resulting painful difficult swallowing. Ultimately, the infection may become disseminated throughout the body.
The incidence of oral candidiasis in adults has increased dramatically with the spread of AIDS. HIV infected people are at high risk for oral candidiasis which often may be one of the first signs of HIV infection. (Note: in women, persistent or recurrent candidal vulvovaginitis may be a presenting sign of HIV infection).
Hard figures on the incidence of oral candidiasis in adults are not available but the incidence is thought to have doubled in the last decade. Extension of candidal infection is also seen more frequently including disseminated candidiasis (throughout the body). The death rate from disseminated candidiasis may reach 70%.
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