Oral candidal infections and antimycotics

Area of Science:

• Oral medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Opportunistic infections like oral candidiasis are increasing due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and immunocompromised patients.
• While classic thrush is easily managed, atypical presentations like erythematous candidosis complicate diagnosis and treatment.
• Antifungal therapy for oral candidiasis faces challenges from the oral environment reducing drug efficacy and emerging triazole resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis.
• To discuss recent advancements in antifungal therapy for oral candidiasis.
• To explore novel concepts like the post-antifungal effect (PAFE) and their therapeutic relevance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical presentations of oral candidiasis.
• Analysis of current and emerging antifungal agents and treatment strategies.
• Examination of the post-antifungal effect (PAFE) and its implications.

Main Results:

• Oral candidiasis exhibits diverse clinical forms, including classic thrush and erythematous candidosis.
• Standard antifungal treatments can fail due to oral cavity conditions and increasing resistance to triazole agents.
• The post-antifungal effect (PAFE) presents a potential new avenue for optimizing antifungal therapy.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of oral candidiasis requires awareness of varied clinical presentations and evolving antifungal resistance.
• Newer therapeutic approaches, potentially leveraging concepts like PAFE, are needed to overcome treatment failures.
• Continued research into novel antimycotic strategies is essential for combating resistant oral candidiasis.