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Oral Thrush

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Close Encounters of the Microbial Kind

Abstract

The yeast Candida albicans is responsible for a number of infections which are often called candidiasis . These affect several areas of the body including the skin and nails, gut, vagina and, less commonly, organs such as the heart if it invades the blood stream. In the mouth it’s responsible for pseudomembranous candidiasis (oral thrush), erythematous candidiasis, denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis. Occasionally other species of Candida are involved. Although infants and the elderly are the main groups affected, oral fungal infections are also more common in those who are immunocompromised in some way and those undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Treatment involves the use of topical anti-fungal agents. In those who are immunocompromised, oral anti-fungal drugs may be necessary.

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Wilson, M., Wilson, P.J.K. (2021). Oral Thrush. In: Close Encounters of the Microbial Kind. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56978-5_23

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