oral candidiasis

Oral candidiasis, also known as oral thrush, is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the mouth. This condition can cause creamy white lesions on the tongue and lining of the mouth.

Symptoms:

• White or yellowish buildup on the tongue
• Unpleasant taste
• Discomfort in the mouth

Causes:

• Overgrowth of Candida albicans fungus
• Risk factors include:
  • Weakened immune system
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Use of antibiotics or steroids
  • Dry mouth (xerostomia)
  • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS

Treatment:

• Antifungal medications are usually prescribed by a doctor to treat oral thrush.
• Home remedies and medical treatments can also be effective in treating the condition.

Oral candidiasis is not contagious and is usually successfully treated with antifungal medication. However, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications, such as systemic candidiasis, which can cause problems in the organs it affects and potentially life-threatening conditions like septic shock.

References:

• [1] Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, which causes creamy white lesions on the tongue and lining of your mouth. (Source: #1)
• [3] Oral candidiasis is an infection of the oral cavity by Candida albicans. (Source: #3)
• [4] Thrush is an infection caused by the candida fungus, which is a type of yeast. You can get it in your mouth and sometimes other parts of the body. If you notice strange white bumps inside your mouth, it might be oral thrush. It’s also called oral candidiasis. (Source: #4)
• [9] Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection that can affect the mouth. Symptoms include a white or yellow buildup on the tongue, an unpleasant taste, and discomfort. Home and medical remedies can treat it. ... most commonly occurs due to the fungus Candida albicans. (Source: #9)
• [12] Oral candidiasis (Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis), which is also known as oral thrush, among other names, is candidiasis that occurs in the mouth. That is, oral candidiasis is a mycosis (yeast/fungal infection) of Candida species on the mucous membranes of the mouth. (Source: #12)
• [13] Oral candidiasis (also known as oral thrush) is a common fungal infection of the oral cavity. This condition is mainly caused by Candida species, particularly ... (Source: #13)
• [14] Oral candidiasis is one of the common fungal infection, affecting the oral mucosa. These lesions are caused by the yeast Candida albicans. (Source: #14)

Oral candidiasis, also known as oral thrush, can manifest in various ways. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• White or yellow patches: These patches can appear on the inner cheeks, tongue, tonsils, gums, or lips. They may be slightly raised and have a creamy texture.
• Soreness or discomfort: People with oral thrush may experience pain or soreness in their mouth, especially when eating or drinking.
• Burning sensation: Some individuals may feel a burning sensation in their mouth, which can make it uncomfortable to eat or drink.
• Loss of taste: Oral thrush can cause a decrease in the sense of taste, making food less enjoyable.
• Dry mouth: In some cases, people with oral thrush may experience dryness in their mouth, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty swallowing.

These symptoms can develop suddenly, and in some cases, people may not exhibit any signs at all. However, if left untreated, oral candidiasis can persist and cause further complications.

According to [1], oral thrush produces slightly raised, creamy white, sore patches in your mouth or on your tongue. This is a common sign of the infection.

[2] also mentions that a common sign of thrush is the presence of creamy white, slightly raised lesions in your mouth — usually on your tongue or inner cheeks.

Oral thrush can be successfully treated with antifungal medication, and it's not contagious [3]. However, if you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Oral candidiasis, also known as thrush, can be diagnosed through various tests. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used to identify oral candidiasis:

• Microscopy: Microscopic examination of oral smears or scrapings can help diagnose oral candidiasis. However, this method is non-specific and cannot identify the specific Candida species causing the infection [9].
• Swab culture: Swabbing the affected area and culturing the sample is a common diagnostic test for identifying Candida species [12]. This test involves taking a swab from the oral cavity and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.
• Blood culture test: In some cases, a blood culture test may be ordered to diagnose invasive candidiasis [3].
• Germ tube test: The germ tube test is used to identify Candida albicans. This test involves incubating a sample of the organism in a specific medium and observing for the formation of germ tubes [4, 5].
• Cornstarch agar test: Cornstarch agar can be used to isolate and identify Candida species [4].

It's worth noting that diagnosis of oral candidiasis is often made based on clinical presentation and medical history, rather than relying solely on laboratory tests. In many cases, a definitive diagnosis may not be necessary, and treatment can be initiated based on clinical suspicion.

References:

[3] February 21, 2024 - Your doctor may order one (or more) of the following Candida tests to diagnose invasive candidiasis. Blood culture test. [4] December 1, 2013 - Using cultures, we can isolate the genus Candida and identify the species. For the identification of C. albicans we use the early filamentation test or germ tube test. Cornstarch agar, Oxgall-Tween-Caffeic acid (TOC), diluted milk and different sera, such as horse serum, can be used for such tests. [5] by L Coronado-Castellote · 2013 · Cited by 304 — For the identification of C. albicans we use the early filamentation test or germ tube test. Cornstarch agar, Oxgall-Tween-Caffeic acid (TOC), diluted milk and ... [9] July 29, 2020 - All subjects had visible changes ... diagnosed with candidiasis. Diagnosis of oral candidiasis was confirmed in all patients by microbiological analysis of tongue swabs. For microbiota identification three different tests .... [12] Microscopy and culture of skin swabs and scrapings aid in the diagnosis of candidal infections. However, as candida can live on a mucosal surface quite ...

Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, can be effectively treated with antifungal medications.

• Mild cases: Nystatin suspension or clotrimazole troche are commonly prescribed for 1-2 weeks. These treatments are usually effective in clearing up mild cases of oral thrush [7].
• Moderate to severe cases: Fluconazole is often used as a systemic treatment, taken orally at a dose of 100-150 mg daily for 10 days [8]. This medication can be more effective than topical treatments for more severe cases.
• Local treatment options: Fluconazole oral suspension can also be used as a local treatment, applied directly to the affected area. A dose of 2 mg/ml three times daily or 10 mg/ml once daily has been found to be effective [4].

It's essential to note that treatment should be continued for 1-4 weeks or until symptoms have been clear for 7 days to ensure complete resolution of the infection.

References: [4] C Garcia-Cuesta · 2014 · Cited by 328 [7] May 26, 2022 — Medical therapies [8] Oct 3, 2023 — Other home remedies you can try to improve your symptoms include

Oral Candidiasis Differential Diagnoses

Oral candidiasis, also known as thrush, is a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida. However, there are several other conditions that can present with similar symptoms, making differential diagnosis essential for proper treatment.

• Aphthous Stomatitis: A common condition characterized by recurrent ulcers in the oral cavity, which can be confused with oral candidiasis.
• Autoimmune Blistering Disorders: Conditions such as mucous membrane pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris can present with oral lesions that resemble those of oral candidiasis.
• Chemical Burns: Exposure to caustic substances can cause chemical burns in the mouth, which may be mistaken for oral candidiasis.
• Reactive Keratosis: A condition characterized by thickening of the skin or mucous membranes in response to irritation, which can present with similar symptoms to oral candidiasis.
• Hairy Leukoplakia: A condition caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that can present with white patches on the tongue and elsewhere in the mouth.

Key Features to Distinguish Oral Candidiasis from Other Conditions

To accurately diagnose oral candidiasis, it is essential to consider the following features:

• Pseudomembranous lesions: A characteristic feature of acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, which can be distinguished from other conditions by its white or yellowish patches.
• Angular cheilitis: A condition characterized by inflammation and redness at the corners of the mouth, which can be confused with oral candidiasis.
• Leukoplakia: A condition characterized by white patches on the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth, which can be distinguished from oral candidiasis by its lack of pseudomembranous lesions.

References

[6] Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush) is the most common form of oral candidiasis, accounting for one-third to two-thirds of cases. [8] Differential Diagnoses include Aphthous Stomatitis, Autoimmune Blistering Disorders, Chemical burns, Reactive keratosis, and Hairy leukoplakia. [9] Clinical features of oral candidiasis include Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, Acute atrophic candidiasis, Chronic atrophic candidiasis, and Angular cheilitis.