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Clinical features of oral candidiasis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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.


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