The oral cavity (mouth) forms normal habitat to a
number of organisms; bacteria and fungi. They are considered normal oral
commensals that cause no harm in the mouth as they are kept in check by the
body immune system. In case of a suppressed immunity, these organisms may begin
to cause harm as seen in candidiasis.
Candidiasis/Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the
mouth and it’s environ, throat inclusive. It is caused by overgrowth of the
fungi commonly candida albicans in
the mouth in immunocompromised states as seen in:
1. Diabetes
Mellitus: In this condition, sugar in saliva acts as food for fungal growth.
2. Prolonged/high dose antibiotic treatment: This
condition kills the normal oral bacteria that keeps fungal growth in the oral
cavity in check
3. HIV
infection
4. Renal
failure
5. Use
of immune suppressant drugs
6. Long
term steroid treatment
7. Other
forms of immune suppression states
8. Neonates
and elderly
9. Ill-fitting
dentures
10. Xerostomia
i.e. dry mouth
Candidiasis affects all age groups depending on the
immune status.
The very young neonates acquire oral thrush during
passage through the birth canal in mothers with vaginal candidiasis due to immaturity
of the immune response. This clears within 2 weeks however if it persists, baby
needs a pediatrician assessment.
Oral
presentation of candidiasis
Whitish
coat on any part of the mouth, tongue and throat inclusive.
It may also present as soft, friable, and
creamy coloured plaques on the oral mucosa.
This creamish /whitish plague can
be easily wiped off, to expose an erythematous /reddish mucosa.
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| whitish plagues on surfaces of the mouth |
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| coated tongue with whitish plagues |
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