Clinical, therapeutic, and pathogenic aspects of chronic oral multifocal candidiasis

In 32 patients (11 females, 21 males) the diagnosis of chronic oral multifocal candidiasis was established on the basis of erythematous, plaquelike, or nodular lesions in two or more of the following locations: commissural area, palate, or dorsum of the tongue. Hyphae and/or pseudohyphae of Candida-like organisms were demonstrated in PAS-stained smears from all lesions. Ninety-seven separate lesions were registered. Thirty patients experienced pain, burning, or itching from affected areas. All of the patients were tobacco smokers, and 21 were denture wearers. The patients were treated with antimycotics; the median length of treatment was 46 days for denture wearers and 44 days for nondenture wearers. After antimycotic therapy the change in the lesions followed certain patterns which were determined by the original type of lesion. Palatal lesions in nondenture wearers and nodular lesions of the commissural areas showed the highest recurrence rate after 6 and 12 months. The pathogenic role of tobacco and other factors in the development of candidal infection are discussed.