Oral candidiasis--its pleomorphic clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment

Up to 60% of the population carry Candida albicans as part of the oral flora without having evidence of candidiasis. The pleomorphic clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis viz. thrush, denture stomatitis, angular cheilitis, median rhomboid glossitis, speckled leukoplakia, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and its variants are briefly discussed. Current diagnostic techniques of oral candidiasis (OC) are reviewed. A simple and quick method of helping the clinician in the diagnosis of OC by taking a direct smear of the lesion is emphasized. OC is a 'disease of the diseased'. As a routine a full blood picture, serum iron and serum folate levels should be looked at. Several predisposing causes of OC need to be investigated. An up-date on the treatment of OC with nystatin, amphotericin B lozenges, clotrimazole and miconazole is made.