4/19/2016
CCC
Pathology Research Paper
Candidiasis
Introduction How well do you take care of your oral hygiene? Even at the highest level of care patients that have a weak immune system, such as babies, elderly and individuals with HIV/ AIDS can suffer from an oral infections called oral candidiasis.
Information about Candidiasis
This is the most common superficial fungal infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida albicans. Candidiasis usually arises from individuals that are taking antibiotic therapy, who have diabetes, and who are suffering from xerostomia/ dry mouth from medications, other medical conditions associated with oral candidiasis are those with diabetes, HIV, xerostomia, multiple myeloma, …show more content…
When plaque can be removed by wiping it off after removal bleeding occurs beneath the surface. This type of candidiasis can cause an unpleasant taste and burning sensation with blisters. Common locations that lesions appear are on the buccal mucosa, palate, and the dorsal part of the tongue. Individuals that often develop Pseudomembranous oral candidiasis are those who are doing antibiotic therapy, using therapeutic immunosuppression with corticosteroids and immunomodulary medications, and also those who use steroid asthma inhalers.
Erthematous Candidiasis comes in to forms acute and chronic both are more commonly diagnosed than Pseudomembranous candidiasis and can be more difficult to diagnosis out of all the main forms for oral candidiasis
Acute Atrophic Erythematous Candidiasis which is also known as median rhomboid glossitis appears red or raw looking with lesions on the dorsal side of the tongue hard and soft plate creating a smooth bald appearance which can develop after a patient had taken a broad- spectrum antibiotic or in patients who suffer from xerostomia.
Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis is an uncommon type of oral candidiasis is white plaque that cannot be removed by scraping. Usually found on the buccal and labial mucosa in patients affected by HIV or another immunocompromised disease. This type affects about …show more content…
Common medications prescribed for treatment is Clotrmazole troche which is a tablet that needs to be dissolved on the tongue 5x/day for 10-14 days. Nystatin Suspensions which is usually not suggested for patients with high caries risk due to it been a sweeten medication and needs to be taken 4-5x/day. The last medication that can be taken is Systemic Fluconazole which should be taken orally for 2 weeks. For severe or resistant esophageal candidiasis is treated with Amphotericin B an IV medication. The duration of treatment depends on how severe the infection is, most last two days to one week long, age and patient’s immune system are also big factors on medication treatment.
Differences between Oral Candidiasis and Leukoplakia Oral candidiasis can easily be mistaken for Leukoplakia which appears as white patches that can’t be wiped off, red or dark patches that can cause changes in the tissues of the mouth, and is commonly found on the tongue and lining of the cheeks. Leukoplakia is often seen in individuals who have immune systems that are weakened or affected by medications or diseases like HIV. The most common and effective way to differentiate between oral candidiasis and Leukoplakia is to do a biopsy which is done by taking a small piece of the tissue from the lesion and examined by the lab.
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