Fungal Infections of Oral Cavity: Diagnosis, Management, and Association with COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Immunology
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Increasing incidence of fungal infections linked to immunodeficiency viruses and immunosuppressive therapies.
• Oral candidiasis is the most prevalent oral fungal infection, often opportunistic in immunocompromised hosts.
• Distinguishing between commensal Candida and clinical candidiasis requires careful assessment of symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review diagnostic methods for oral fungal infections.
• To discuss therapeutic management strategies for various oral mycoses.
• To provide an overview of opportunistic fungal infections affecting the oral cavity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of diagnostic techniques including cytology and tissue biopsy.
• Analysis of clinical presentation, signs, and symptoms of oral fungal infections.
• Examination of culture reports for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Main Results:

• Cytology and tissue biopsy are key for confirming clinical diagnoses of oral fungal infections.
• Management requires a strategic approach integrating clinical signs, symptoms, and microbiological data.
• The article covers diagnosis and treatment for aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, mucormycosis, and geotrichosis.

Conclusions:

• Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management of oral fungal infections.
• A multi-faceted approach combining clinical evaluation and laboratory findings guides therapeutic decisions.
• Understanding the opportunistic nature of these infections is critical in at-risk populations.