Uncommon opportunistic fungal infections of oral cavity: A review

Area of Science:

• Oral medicine
• Mycology
• Infectious diseases

Background:

• Opportunistic fungal infections commonly affect the oral mucosa.
• Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are frequent culprits.
• Other fungi like Mucor and Cryptococcus also play a significant role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review uncommon opportunistic fungal infections of the oral cavity.
• To discuss their morphology, clinical features, and diagnostic methods.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of uncommon oral fungal pathogens.
• Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic techniques.

Main Results:

• Common oral fungal pathogens include Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.
• Less common pathogens like Geotrichum, Fusarium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, and Penicillium marneffei can also cause oral infections.
• Clinical manifestations range from pseudo-membranes and abscesses to ulcers, pustules, and tissue necrosis.

Conclusions:

• A diverse range of fungi can cause opportunistic oral infections.
• Understanding the morphology, clinical features, and diagnostics of uncommon pathogens is crucial for effective management.
• This review highlights key aspects of these less frequent, yet significant, oral mycoses.