title: Clinical Appearance of Oral Candida Infection and Therapeutic Strategies.
abstract: Candida species present both as commensals and opportunistic pathogens of the oral cavity. For decades, it has enthralled the clinicians to investigate its pathogenicity and to improvise newer therapeutic regimens based on the updated molecular research. Candida is readily isolated from the oral cavity, but simple carriage does not predictably result in development of an infection. Whether it remains as a commensal, or transmutes into a pathogen, is usually determined by pre-existing or associated variations in the host immune system. The candida infections may range from non-life threatening superficial mucocutaneous disorders to invasive disseminated disease involving multiple organs. In fact, with the increase in number of AIDS cases, there is a resurgence of less common forms of oral candida infections. The treatment after confirmation of the diagnosis should include recognizing and eliminating the underlying causes such as ill-fitting oral appliances, history of medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, etc.), immunological and endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiency states and prolonged hospitalization. Treatment with appropriate topical antifungal agents such as amphotericin, nystatin, or miconazole usually resolves the symptoms of superficial infection. Occasionally, administration of systemic antifungal agents may be necessary in immunocompromised patients, the selection of which should be based upon history of recent azole exposure, a history of intolerance to an antifungal agent, the dominant Candida species and current susceptibility data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Shankargouda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Roopa S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Barnali
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Majumdar
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, Dental Health Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sukumaran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anil
keywords: Candida; NCAC species; antifungal therapy; opportunistic infections; oral candidosis