Angular cheilitis: A clinical and microbial study

The aim of the present study was to examine clinical types and microbiological flora isolated from angular chelitis.

An eroded and/or erythematous, with or without fissure formation, nonvesicular lesion radiating from the angle of the mouth was considered to be angular chelitis. A sample of the present study comprised of 40 patients having unilateral or bilateral angular chelitis and 20 healthy individuals without any lip lesions. Clinical examination was done. In both test and control groups, the sample for microbial analysis was obtained from angle of the mouth.

Clinically, four types of angular cheilitis lesions were found, Type I, II, III, and IV. The most common type of lesion found was Type I lesion. Microorganisms isolated from the lesion were Staphylococcus aureus, Candida or Streptococci in 33 (82.5%) cases either in pure culture or mixed culture. Among these 33 patients, S. aureus was found in 25 (75.5%) cases, Candida in 16 (48.4%) cases, and Streptococci in 5 (13.5%) cases, respectively. Out of 16 cases positive for Candida, in 13 cases further isolation of Candida was possible. Candida albicans was found in 6 cases and Candida stellastodia in 7 cases. In majority of the dentulous and edentulous patients, S. aureus showed profuse growth.

There are microorganisms associated with angular cheilitis.