Oropharyngeal candidosis in the older patient

Colonization of the oral and pharyngeal regions by Candida spp., particularly C. albicans, is extremely common in humans, particularly in early and late life. A variety of local and systemic conditions predispose the transformation of the benign colonization to a pathological state, which may have severe local or serious systemic consequences. The finding of oropharyngeal candidosis in an older patient, therefore, merits investigation of the likely host factors responsible for the organism adopting its pathogenic behavior. This paper provides non-dental clinicians managing older patients a review of the clinical characteristics, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of oropharyngeal candidosis in older adults.