Patients with candida infections may be asymptomatic but often presents with:
- dysphagia (1)
- burning and soreness as well as sensitivity to acidic and spicy foods (2)
- altered taste sensation (1)
Clinical symptoms of oral candidiasis vary according to the clinical pattern of infection:
- pseudomembranous candidiasis (oral thrush):
- characterized by white curd-like pseudo-membrane seen on the buccal mucosa, throat, tongue, or gingivae
- removal of the membrane reveals an underlying erythematous mucosa
- acute erythematous candidiasis (acute atrophic oral candidiasis)
- present with burning sensation in the mouth or the tongue
- the tongue may be bright red
- commonly seen after antibiotic therapy or inhaled steroid therapy
- chronic erythematous candidiasis (denture stomatitis or chronic atrophic candidiasis)
- seen as localized erythema in places where ill-fitting or inadequately cleaned dentures are worn (1)
- chronic hyperplastic candidiasis
- seen as white patches or plaques which are firmly adhered to buccal mucosa, tongue, palate
- usually distributed on both sides (1)
- median rhomboid glossitis
- atrophic filiform papillae is seen in a symmetrical area anterior to the circumvallate papillae of the tongue (1)
- angular cheilitis
- seen as erythematous fissuring at corners of the mouth
Reference:
1. Neville BA, Damm DD, Allen CM, et al. Fungal and protozoal diseases. In: Oral & maxillofacial pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 2015.