Promising Alternative Therapeutics for Oral Candidiasis

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Candida species are primary causes of human fungal infections (candidiasis), particularly affecting the elderly and immunocompromised.
• Oral Candida overgrowth can lead to dysbiosis and oral diseases, often associated with challenging biofilms.
• Increasing antifungal drug resistance and limitations of current therapies highlight the urgent need for alternative treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and identify promising alternative and combination therapies for managing oral candidiasis.
• To assess novel approaches for disrupting Candida biofilms, a key factor in oral candidiasis.
• To provide an overview of recent advancements in treating drug-resistant Candida strains.

Main Methods:

• A structured literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, SpringerLink).
• Keywords included "candidiasis", "oral candidiasis", "biofilm + candida", "alternative treatment", and "combination therapy + candida".
• Peer-reviewed research from the last 10-15 years was prioritized for the review.

Main Results:

• Several promising alternative therapies were identified, including combination anti-Candida treatments.
• Denture cleansers and mouth rinses show potential for disrupting candidal biofilms.
• Natural compounds (honey, probiotics, plant extracts, essential oils) and photodynamic therapy emerged as viable options.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for the development of effective therapies against oral candidiasis.
• Alternative and combination treatment strategies show significant promise in managing drug-resistant Candida infections.
• Further research into these novel approaches is essential for improving patient outcomes.