Treatment of oral Candida mucositis infections

Infections due to Candida spp. are increasing in incidence as the number of immune compromised patients increases. The common presentation of Candida mucositis and oral infections includes atrophic candidiasis, angular cheilitis, leukoplakia and oesophagitis. An increasing spectrum of antifungal agents, including imidazoles, are available for treatment and suppression of this common infection. In chronically immune-compromised patients such as those with severe HIV related immune deficiency, eradication of the infection may not be possible. This requires a stepwise approach to management and may require the use of potent, toxic agents such as amphotericin B to suppress the symptoms and signs of infection sufficiently to provide the patient with symptomatic relief. Resistant organisms are also becoming a greater problem in this patient population.