Mycology in oral pathology.

Candida species are responsible for all but exceptional examples of oral fungal infection. Oral Candida lesions are seen only in patients who are predisposed to such disease by physiological or immunological abnormalities, particularly by extremes of age and HIV infections. The infections can be acute or chronic, pseudomembranous ("thrush") or atrophic (erythemateous). In the AIDS patient, mixtures of clinical types may be seen. Diagnosis of oral Candida infection requires microscopic or culture proof of the involvement of a Candida species. Treatment depends on the type of patient and the type of infection. Topical antifungal agents, usually of the imidazole, triazole or polyene type, are commonly used, although non-specific antiseptics are recommended for denture cleansing in cases of denture-associated stomatitis.