Oral candidiasis
Oral candidiasis, also known as oral thrush among other names, is candidiasis that occurs in the mouth. That is, oral candidiasis is a mycosis (yeast/fungal infection) of Candida species on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
| Oral candidiasis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | oral candidosis, oral thrush, oropharyngeal candidiasis, moniliasis, candidal stomatitis, muguet |
| Oral candidiasis patient showing characteristic white slough on the tongue. | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease, dentistry, dermatology |
Candida albicans is the most commonly implicated organism in this condition. C. albicans is carried in the mouths of about 50% of the world's population as a normal component of the oral microbiota. This candidal carriage state is not considered a disease, but when Candida species become pathogenic and invade host tissues, oral candidiasis can occur. This change usually constitutes an opportunistic infection by normally harmless micro-organisms because of local (i.e., mucosal) or systemic factors altering host immunity.
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