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Adjunctive use of chlorhexidine in oral candidoses: a review
A N Ellepola1, L P Samaranayake
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR.
Abstract:
Oral candidosis is by far the commonest human fungal infection and manifests in a variety of clinical guises. The main reason for its high incidence appears to be the multiplicity of predisposing factors, which facilitate the conversion of oral commensal Candida to a parasitic existence. Despite the availability of a number of effective antimycotics for the treatment of oral candidoses, failure of therapy is not uncommon owing to the unique environment of the oral cavity where the flushing effect of saliva and the cleansing action of the oral musculature tend to reduce the drug concentration to sub-therapeutic levels. For these and other reasons chlorhexidine is widely prescribed in dentistry both as an antiseptic mouthwash and a denture disinfectant in order to supplement other antifungals. Chlorhexidine has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity including Candida albicans and other common non-albicans yeast species. In this review we outline the utility of chlorhexidine as an adjunct to conventional antimycotic therapy in the management of oral Candida infections.
Insights
Oral candidosis, a common fungal infection, often resists treatment due to the oral environment. Chlorhexidine, an antiseptic, shows promise as an effective adjunctive therapy for managing these challenging Candida infections.
Area of Science:
- Oral medicine
- Mycology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Oral candidosis is the most frequent human fungal infection, presenting diverse clinical forms.
- Predisposing factors enable commensal Candida to become parasitic, leading to high incidence.
- Antifungal therapy failure is common due to the oral cavity's physical cleansing and flushing effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of chlorhexidine as an adjunctive treatment for oral Candida infections.
- To highlight chlorhexidine's role in overcoming therapeutic challenges in the oral environment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on oral candidosis and chlorhexidine use.
- Analysis of chlorhexidine's antimicrobial spectrum and clinical application in dentistry.
Main Results:
- Chlorhexidine exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Candida species, including Candida albicans.
- Its use as a mouthwash and denture disinfectant complements conventional antifungals.
- Chlorhexidine helps maintain therapeutic drug concentrations in the oral cavity.
Conclusions:
- Chlorhexidine is a valuable adjunct to conventional antimycotic therapy for oral Candida infections.
- Its properties make it suitable for managing infections in the challenging oral environment.
- Further research may explore optimal protocols for chlorhexidine as an adjunct therapy.