Oral candidiasis

An oral infection, resulting from yeasts of the genus Candida, mostly C albicans.

Superficial local mucosal infection, capable of focal invasion and dissemination.

Seen most frequently in association with local and systemic immunological suppression.

Clinical appearance is important for diagnosis.

Oral candidiasis involves a local infection of oral tissues by yeasts of the genus Candida, mostly C albicans. It is the most common oral fungal infection and is commonly seen in infants and older adults, and also with states of local and systemic immunological suppression. Although Candida are considered normal flora in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts in humans, they are capable of local infection of mucous membranes (oropharyngeal candidiasis, oesophagitis, vulvovaginitis), focal invasion (endophthalmitis, meningitis, endocarditis), and dissemination (candidaemia).