oral candidiasis

candidiasis /can·di·di·a·sis/ (kan″dĭ-di´ah-sis) infection by fungi of the genus Candida, generally C. albicans, most commonly involving the skin, oral mucosa (thrush), respiratory tract, or vagina; rarely there is a systemic infection or endocarditis.

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acute pseudomembranous candidiasis  thrush.

atrophic candidiasis  a type of oral candidiasis marked by erythematous pebbled patches on the hard or soft palate, buccal mucosa, and dorsal surface of the tongue.

bronchopulmonary candidiasis  bronchocandidiasis; that found in the respiratory tract.

chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis  any of various forms characterized by chronic candidiasis of oral and vaginal mucosa, skin, and nails, resistant to treatment, and sometimes familial.

oral candidiasis  thrush.

vaginal candidiasis , vulvovaginal candidiasis candidal infection of the vagina, and usually also the vulva, commonly characterized by pruritus, creamy white discharge, vulvar erythema and swelling, and dyspareunia.

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candidiasis [kan″dĭ-di´ah-sis]

infection by fungi of the genus Candida, generally C. albicans, most commonly involving the skin, oral mucosa (thrush), respiratory tract, or vagina; occasionally there is a systemic infection or endocarditis. It is most often associated with pregnancy, glycosuria, diabetes mellitus, or use of antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that in the United States this condition is the fourth most common cause of nosocomial infections of the blood stream. Called also candidosis and moniliasis.

The most prominent symptom of vaginitis due to Candida infection is severe itching. Sexual transmission is unlikely. Intravaginal cream containing miconazole or clotrimazole, applied each night for one week, usually clears up the infection. Difficulty or pain with swallowing, or retrosternal pain, may indicate candidiasis of the esophagus. Systemic antifungal therapy is indicated for esophagitis and other more severe forms of the disease. Therapeutic options include ketoconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin b. Chronic suppressive therapy is sometimes required for severely immunocompromised patients. The Infectious Disease Society of America has published “Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Candidiasis” on their web site, http://www.idsociety.org.

atrophic candidiasis oral candidiasis marked by erythematous, pebbled patches on the hard or soft palate, buccal mucosa, and dorsal surface of the tongue, a complication of numerous different conditions such as vitamin deficiency, diabetes mellitus, or poorly fitting dentures. There are acute forms and a chronic form called denture stomatitis.

bronchopulmonary candidiasis candidiasis of the respiratory tree, occurring in a mild afebrile form manifested as chronic bronchitis, and in a usually fatal form resembling tuberculosis. Called also bronchocandidiasis.

chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis a group comprising a number of varying forms of Candida infection, marked by chronic candidiasis of the skin and nails and the mucous membranes of the mouth and vagina that is resistant to treatment; it may be localized or diffuse, is sometimes familial, and may be associated with disorders of the immune and endocrine systems.

endocardial candidiasis Candida endocarditis.

oral candidiasis thrush.

pulmonary candidiasis a type of fungal pneumonia caused by infection with Candida species, seen especially in immunocompromised patients or those with malignancies. Called also Candida pneumonia.

vaginal candidiasis (vulvovaginal candidiasis) candidal infection of the vagina, and usually also the vulva, commonly characterized by itching, creamy white discharge, vulvar redness and swelling, and dyspareunia. Called also Candida or candidal vaginitis and Candida or candidal vulvovaginitis.

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oral candidiasis

Infectious disease A yeast infection of the adult oral mucosa, caused by Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogen linked to immune compromise–eg, with AIDS, immunosuppression in transplants, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, DM, ↑ age, poor health, inherited immune defects, xerostomia Clinical Whitish plaques on oral mucosa which, if scraped away, leave a reddish base and pinpoint bleeding; OC may spread to the esophagus, producing candida esophagitis with dysphagia, and disseminate throughout the body–mortality of systemic candidiasis may reach 70%. See Oral thrush.