IMPROVEMENT OF THE METHODOLOGY OF BIOMATERIAL COLLECTION FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE ORAL CAVITY MUCOSA DISEASES.

Aim - to improve the methodology for collecting material from lesions of the oral mucosa for exfoliative cytological examination. A group of patients diagnosed with B37.0 Candida stomatitis was examined. To clarify the diagnosis, various methods of collecting biological material from the tongue of patients were used, namely, the method using a cytobrush with subsequent fixation of cytological material on a slide. The microbiota of the back of the tongue was analyzed in 12 patients with glossitis and 12 healthy subjects (the control group). The microscopic method of research was used - using an immersion microscope MICROmed@XS-3330, and the morphological and tinctorial properties of microorganisms were determined. In ten fields of view, the number of leukocytes, the nature of epithelial cells, and the presence of various microorganisms were detected and counted. A comparison of the quality of the use of the microscope method for the study of the tongue microbiota of patients with candidal glossitis was performed under the conditions of taking pathological material using a dental scalpel and an oral cytobrush. For a reasonable interpretation of the results and determination of their significance, a statistical analysis was performed to determine the frequency of detection of microorganisms in patients with glossitis and healthy subjects, depending on the nature of the material taken from the back of the tongue using a dental scalpel or cytobrush. The studies showed that the etiologic structure of glossitis pathogens was dominated by Candida yeast-like fungi, but cases of leptotrichosis aetiology were observed (16.7%). Monococci and gram-negative monobacteria were detected in all studied groups. An increase in the diversity of microorganisms was found when the material was taken with a cytobrush. The microbiota of all subjects differed depending on the type of instrument used for sampling. Thus, in the group of healthy individuals, the interdental brush helped to detect twice as many streptococci as a scalpel. In patients with candidiasis, a brush biopsy showed a 2.7-fold increase in gram-positive diplococci, twice as many streptococci and gram-positive bacilli, three times as many staphylococci, 2.25 times as many clusterforming gram-negative cocci, and 2.3 times as many gram-negative diplococci. A significant increase in the diversity of microorganisms was observed with the cytobrush compared to the use of a dental scalpel. In patients with glossitis, the accumulation of keratinized epithelial cells was significantly higher compared to the presence of young cells in healthy subjects, regardless of the method of sampling.

Infecciones fúngicas en otorrinolaringología: revisión de la literatura / Fungal infections in otolaryngology: literature review

Ante el aumento a nivel mundial de condiciones inmunosupresoras, la incidencia de enfermedades fúngicas que afectan órganos y sistemas propios del estudio otorrinolaringológico va en alza. Entre estas patologías es posible encontrar la candidiasis orofaríngea, laringitis fúngica, otomicosis, y distintos tipos de rinosinusitis. El estudio de los aspectos clínicos, agentes causantes y mecanismos patogénicos de estas enfermedades será fundamental para la práctica médica de los tiempos por venir.

With the worldwide increase of immunosuppressive conditions, the incidence of fungal diseases affecting organs and systems of otorhinolaryngological study is on the rise. Among these pathologies it is possible to find oropharyngeal candidiasis, fungal laryngitis, otomycosis, and different types of rhinosinusitis. The study of the clinical aspects, causative agents and pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases will be fundamental for the medical practice of the times to come.

Oral Candidal Infection Misdiagnosed as a Tumour.

A case report on a 70-year-old male patient with atypical candidal infection on the palate that was misdiagnosed for a tumour based on clinical examination. The lesion was an accidental finding when the patient was at a registered dentist for a preventive check-up.

Oral candidiasis in patients with haematological diseases: Diagnosis through clinical and cytopathological examinations.

OBJECTIVE: This study is the first to analyse the prevalence of oral candidiasis in onco-haematological patients by physical and oral cytopathological examinations. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and observational study with a retrospective sample composed of participants hospitalised in the haematology clinic, who were diagnosed with haematological diseases. All participants received an oral mucosal examination and scraping from oral mucosa. RESULTS: Of the 62 participants, 56.5% were male and 82.3% were white, with mean age of 57 years. Lymphoma was the most common haematological disease (24.2%). In total, 48.4% of the sample was diagnosed with oral candidiasis. Of the participants with oral candidiasis, 13 (21.0%) had a clinical diagnosis. Cytopathological analysis revealed 17 more (27.4%) cases without oral lesions indicative of candidiasis. Erythematous candidiasis (P = 0.02), pseudomembranous candidiasis (P < 0.001), clinical candidiasis (P < 0.001), fibrous hyperplasia (P = 0.032), and coated tongue (P = 0.012) showed a correlation with a candidiasis cytopathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Oral candidiasis is common among patients with haematological disease, and the cytopathological examination proved to be a useful tool, confirming clinical diagnosis of candidiasis and identifying subclinical cases. These data are of great relevance considering the possible complications that these patients may develop, such as longer hospitalisations, worsening of the general condition or even death due to candidemia.

"Oral manifestations of HIV in accordance with CD4 count" - A cross-sectional study.

Aims and Objectives: Mouth acts as a mirror for most of the underlying systemic diseases. Very few studies were done in south Indian population to observe the oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in relation to the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count, and this study mainly highlights the presenting complaint of HIV patients during their dental visit. The study was aimed to determine the chief complaints of patients along with oral manifestations of HIV and correlate them to CD4 count. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive HIV-positive patients were considered for the study. All the oral manifestations and the chief complaints along with the calculated CD4 counts were noted and the results were correlated. Spearman correlation was used for CD4 count and other oral manifestations. Results: The mean CD4 counts were 421 cells/mm3 with a standard deviation (SD) of 404.34 for the most common oral manifestation of burning mouth and 176.5 cells/mm3 for the least common manifestation of malignancies. The CD4 count ranged from 120 to 1100 cells/mm3. The mean age and CD4 count were 38 years and 398.86, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation with candidiasis and gingivitis, and the rest of the conditions were insignificant. Conclusion: The study results suggest that the chief complaint of presentation of an HIV-positive patient is pain due to carious teeth/abscess followed by burning mouth, with candidiasis being the most common disease.

An underestimated pitfall of oral candidiasis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: an observation study.

BACKGROUND: Oral candidiasis is a common problem associated with head and neck radiation therapy (RT) consequences being pain, burning sensation, taste change, and systemic infection. There are difficulties in differentiating between oral candidiasis and radiation induced oral mucositis. We conducted a prospective study to explore the incidence of clinical oral candidiasis and evaluate the accuracy of diagnosis among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving RT or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: This study included 86 HNC patients who had no clinical signs or symptoms of oral candidiasis. Oral mucosa and tongue swabs were carried out and analyzed three times by fungal cultures at the following time points: (1) before RT, (2) at the time of clinically diagnosed candidiasis or during RT at between the 15th-17th fraction (whichever occurred first), and (3) at the end of RT. The accuracy of clinical oral candidiasis was explored and confirmed by fungal colonization techniques. The incidence and risk factors associated with fungal colonization before and throughout the treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of clinical oral candidiasis was 53.5% throughout the course of RT. Confirmation of fungal colonization was found in 39.5%, 65.9%, and 57.7% of cases before RT, during RT, and end of RT, respectively. The accuracy of the diagnosis using only clinical presentation was demonstrated in 60%, 50%, and 52% before RT, during RT, and end of RT, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, CCRT, and using 2% viscous lidocaine solution were independent risk factors for fungal colonization. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated an underestimation of clinical oral candidiasis before and throughout the course of radiotherapy from using only clinical sign and symptoms. Crucial attention to detail and testing in the oral examination could improve decision making for detection of oral candidiasis in HNC patients receiving RT or CCRT.

Assessment of saliva and oral candidiasis levels 12, 24 and 36 months after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Hyposalivation is a serious complication during radiotherapy (RT) and it is one of the major risk factors for the presence of candidiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary hypofunction during the different stages of RT, analysing its connection with the presence of candidiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 83 patients who had been diagnosed with head and neck tumours and who were undergoing RT treatment. Their salivary function was clinically analysed throughout the course of the RT treatment (before, during and after treatment) by means of the whole saliva test (WST), both unstimulated (WST-I) and stimulated (WST-II), and its relationship with candidiasis was evaluated using culture-based methods. RESULTS: The WST-I before RT was 37.24±17.36mm and the WST-II was 60.70±30.98mm, with 47% of patients testing positive for candidiasis. The prevalence of candidiasis increased up to 55.8% during RT and it returned to similar pre-RT levels at the end of treatment (45.2%). A statistical significant relationship was found between low WST-I and candidiasis in the 1st (13.58 vs 20.78mm), 3rd (18.06 vs 24.36mm), 6th (16.83 vs 24.5) and 12th (16 vs 28.74mm) months after RT; and this relationship was also detected for WST-II in the 1st (24.73 vs 41.26mm) and 3rd (27.71 vs 39.91mm) months after RT. Female sex was identified as an independent associated risk factor for mild hyposalivation before RT (OR=6.50, CI: 95% 1.77-23.93, p=0.005) and glandular hypofunction (OR=3.01, CI: 95% 1.12-8.10, p=0.029). DISCUSSION: There is a clear relation between hyposalivation and the presence of candidiasis during and after RT. Larger studies must be performed in order to further elucidate this effect.

[Clinic and treatment of the oral candidiasis]. / Osobennosti kliniki i lecheniya patsientov s kandidozom slizistoi obolochki rta.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to clarify the stages of examination of patients with various clinical manifestations of nosological forms of candidiasis and to evaluate the effectiveness of the ongoing antifungal therapy in the complex treatment of oral candidiasis, considering all factors and background diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 56 patients were examined and treated, of which 41 were women and 15 were men with a clinical course of candidiasis (acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, chronic hyperplastic candidiasis, angular candidiasis cheilitis). The patients' age is from 33 to 78 years. All patients underwent a bacterioscopic examination of plaque. All patients diagnosed with oral candidiasis were prescribed complex treatment, which included both general and local therapy. The diagnosis and treatment of the patient's main diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, blood diseases, etc.) were mandatory. RESULTS: All patients taking antifungal therapy reported a significant improvement in the clinical condition of the oral mucosa. Burning sensation, pain, sensation of enlargement of the tongue, dryness in the oral cavity disappeared in the patients. After 2 weeks of drug therapy with fungicidal preparations, the patients were prescribed a second bacterioscopic examination. The results of laboratory studies showed the presence of single, non-budding Candida cells in the field of view and a minimal, diagnostically significant, degree of contamination, which corresponded to the candidacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that antifungal therapy for oral mucosa candidiasis should always be pathogenetically justified and should be carried out considering the patient's underlying disease.

Common benign and malignant oral mucosal disease.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal diseases of the oral cavity are relatively common, and patients often seek initial assessment from their general practitioner. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of common oral mucosal diseases to help with formulating a differential diagnosis and stratifying the urgency of referral. DISCUSSION: Pathological mucosal conditions of the oral cavity and jaws commonly present as a mucosal ulcer or a white, red or pigmented lesion. In this review, the authors outline the most common conditions organised according to their clinical presentation and describe their typical appearance and management.

Chronic Oral Lesions.

Chronic oral mucosal lesions can be associated with several mucocutaneous diseases. This article reviews the autoimmune and immune-mediated, reactive, genetic, and infectious diseases that may present with chronic oral and/or cutaneous manifestations and provides a rational approach to diagnosis and management.

Oral manifestations of HIV: Can they be an indicator of disease severity? (A systematic review).

OBJECTIVE: To review the existing research literature on the paradigm that the oral lesions could be an indicator of the disease severity with the objective of documenting the current status of research, highlighting its major findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Publications were identified through a careful search, of which a majority focused on oral lesions as an indicator for HIV progression. A PubMed journal search of 10 years OF period publication (2009-2019) for "oral lesion, oral manifestation, indicator, HIV and HIV-associated" was performed and analysed. Various research methods were included within the study criteria including clinical study, clinical trial, comparative study and randomised control trial. RESULTS: A total 33 studies were obtained and analysed, including cohort study, cross-sectional study, case-control study, clinical trial, retrospective observational analysis study, prospective observational study and randomised control trial. The most common oral lesions found in the studies were Kaposi sarcoma (KS), followed by oral candidiasis, periodontitis, necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (NUG), necrotising ulcerative periodontitis (NUP) and oral hairy leucoplakia (OHL). The early diagnosis and accurate treatment plan were very important to indicate the disease severity related to HIV infection. CONCLUSION: Oral lesions reported in 39% articles and could be an indicator of HIV disease severity due to its effects on decreased cluster-differentiated (CD4+) T-cell count and increased viral load.

[Oral complications following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: Recommendations of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow transplantation and cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC)]. / Complications stomatologiques dans le contexte de l'allogreffe de cellules hématopoïétiques : recommandations de la Société francophone de greffe de moelle et de thérapie cellulaire (SFGM-TC).

Stomatological complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are frequent and very uncomfortable for patients. The primary complication is the graft versus host disease reaction. Other side effects of the procedure include infections, taste disorders and carcinogenic risks. Various local treatments are used but remain imperfect. Within the framework of the 10th workshop of practice harmonization of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) held in Lille in September 2019, diagnostic approaches and treatments of tongue and oral complications following allogeneic HSCT were reviewed according to the analysis of published studies.

Candidiasis bucal en pacientes con cáncer sometidos a quimioterapia / Oral candidiasis in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy

RESUMEN Introducción: Algunos tipos de cáncer suelen ser tratados con fármacos quimioterapéuticos que afectan de forma indirecta la cavidad bucal, los cuales susceptibilizan al paciente a contraer infecciones bucales como candidiasis bucal. Se ha evidenciado que una condición oncológica facilita una infección bucal por Candida albicans, sin embargo, otras especies de Candida se les relaciona poco. Objetivo: Identificar especies de Candida spp. en cavidad bucal de pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se tomaron 60 muestras de igual número de pacientes por conveniencia de un Instituto Oncológico en Barranquilla, Colombia. Previo a un examen clínico de diagnóstico de candidiasis bucal. Se tomaron hisopados en las superficies infectadas para realizar un examen directo -tinción de Gram y cultivo en agar dextrosa Sabouraud con cloranfenicol incubadas a 37 ºC durante 48 h y posteriormente cultivadas en medio CHROMagar® Candida- para identificación de diferentes especies. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva y de correlación. Resultados. El 55 por ciento de los pacientes correspondió al sexo femenino, con edades mayores a 60 años. El cáncer de mama fue el más frecuente en el 30 por ciento. La quimioterapia aplicada a todos fue el 5-fluorouracilo combinado con ciclofosfamida. El tipo clínico de candidiasis atrófica en lengua fue más frecuente en el 37 por ciento, seguida de candidiasis pseudomembranosa en lengua en el 33 por ciento. El 90 por ciento de muestras presentó algún tipo de Candida, crecimiento de una única especie y cultivos mixtos con más de una especie de Candida. Se evidenció el 13,3 por ciento de C. albicans y otro 13,3 por ciento de Candida spp. no albicans. Ninguno de los diagnósticos oncológicos tuvo una asociación estadísticamente significativa con las especies de Candida. Conclusiones: Se evidencia que la especie de C. albicans en candidiasis bucal en pacientes con cáncer, fue la más frecuente, con predominio en mayor proporción cultivos mixtos de Candida no albicans (C. glabrata, C. tropicalis) poco relacionados con este tipo de enfermedad(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Some types of cancer are often treated with chemotherapeutic drugs which indirectly affect the oral cavity, thus making the patient vulnerable to infections such as oral candidiasis. Oral infection by Candida albicans has been found to be fostered by oncological conditions, but other Candida species have not been sufficiently analyzed in such a context. Objective: Identify Candida spp. in the oral cavity of patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of 60 samples of an equal number of patients selected by convenience sampling at an Oncological Institute in Barranquilla, Colombia, following diagnostic clinical examination for oral candidiasis. Swab samples were taken from the infected surfaces to perform direct examination - Gram staining and Sabouraud dextrose agar culture with chloramphenicol incubated at 37ºC for 48 h and then cultured in CHROMagar® Candida medium - for identification of various species. Analysis was based on correlation and descriptive statistics. Results: Of the total patients evaluated 55 percent were female and aged over 60 years. Breast cancer prevailed with 30%. The chemotherapy applied in all cases was 5-fluorouracil combined with cyclophosphamide. Atrophic candidiasis of the tongue was the most common clinical type with 37 percent, followed by pseudomembranous candidiasis of the tongue with 33 percent. Of the samples examined, 90 percent contained some sort of Candida, growth of a single species and mixed cultures with more than one Candida species. C. albicans represented 13.3 percent and non-albicans spp. another 13.3 percent. None of the oncological diagnostic analyses had a statistically significant association to Candida species. Conclusions: The species C. albicans was the most commonly found in oral candidiasis among cancer patients, with a predominance of non-albicans Candida spp. (C. glabrata, C. tropicalis) mixed cultures, a fact not generally related to this condition(AU)

Dorsal tongue porphyrin autofluorescence and Candida saprophytism: A prospective observational study.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between the dorsal tongue porphyrin autofluorescence, revealed using VELscope, and Candida saprophytism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients underwent an autofluorescence examination by the VELscope device to establish the presence or absence of porphyrin fluorescence. A tongue swab was collected for the Candida cultural test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were calculated considering the oral swab as the gold standard. The degree of agreement between the two tests was calculated using Cohen's K coefficient. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled. Porphyrin fluorescence method showed a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 76% and an accuracy of 78%. Negative predictive value and positive predictive value were respectively 90% and 59%. The strength of agreement between the two methods resulted to be moderate (k = 0.551). CONCLUSIONS: Off-label use of tongue autofluorescence examination to detect the presence of Candida species is characterized by a loss of porphyrin fluorescence. The high negative predictive value of porphyrin fluorescence loss suggests its use in preliminary selection of Candida carriers, in order to plan preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Oral Candida colonization in xerostomic postradiotherapy head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate (a) oral colonization of Candida species, especially for non-albicans Candida species (NACS), in xerostomic postradiotherapy head and neck cancer patients and (b) risk factors affecting their colonization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjective and objective dry mouth scores, stimulated salivary flow rates, pH and buffering capacity were measured in 72 xerostomic postradiotherapy head and neck cancer patients. Candida counts and species identification were performed using oral rinse samples cultured in Candida Chromagar, followed by polymerase chain reaction and API 20C AUX system. RESULTS: Candida colonization was observed in 87.5% of subjects, with 80.6% and 48.6% of study population colonized by C. albicans and NACS, respectively. NACS was associated with high objective dry mouth scores, denture use, and females (p = .006, .009, and .036, respectively). In addition, Candida glabrata was detected more in females (p = .018) and denture wearers (p = .026), while Candida tropicalis was associated with high objective dry mouth scores (p = .022) and females (p = .027). Quantity of Candida colonization correlated positively with objective dry mouth scores (r = 0.599, p < .001) and negatively with salivary flow rates (r = -0.258, p = .041) and pH (r = -0.290, p = .022). CONCLUSION: NACS colonization was common in xerostomic head and neck cancer patients. Increased signs of dry mouth, female and dental prostheses may promote NACS colonization.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and oral Candida colonization: Analysis of risk factors in a Sri Lankan cohort.

Aims: Oral candidiasis is a major oral manifestation of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and a number of cofactors are associated with the pathogenesis of this infection. Here, we describe the prevalence of oral Candida in a Sri Lankan cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus and risk factors that predispose them to this common fungal infection. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 250 diabetics with type 2 diabetes and 81 nondiabetic controls. Clinical and demographic data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire, and patient records. Oral rinse samples were collected to determine the candidal carriage, and the resultant yeast growth was quantified and speciated using multiplex-PCR and phenotypic analyses. Chi-square test (χ2 test) and Fisher exact test were used for the determination of the significant relationships between risk factors and oral candidiasis. Results: The oral prevalence of Candida species among both groups was similar (81%) although a significantly higher proportion of diabetics (32.8%) yielded >2000 CFU/mL of yeasts compared with only 12.3% of the healthy controls (p < .05). Significant associations were noted between oral candidal carriage amongst diabetics, and (i) denture wearing, (ii) female gender and (iii) cigarette smoking (all, p < .05). Amongst both groups, C.albicans was the most common Candida species isolated followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. Conclusions: The oral infestation of Candida in our Sri Lankan cohort of diabetics is significantly higher than their healthy counterparts, and co-carriage of multiple yeast species is a common finding in the study population. As there are no previous such reports of the latter phenomenon particularly from the Asian region it is noteworthy, mainly in view of the recent data on the emergence of drug-resistant yeast species the world over.

Application of fungal fluorescent staining in oral candidiasis: diagnostic analysis of 228 specimens.

BACKGROUND: Several conventional methods, including fungal culture and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent staining, have been used to diagnose oral candidiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel method, fungal fluorescent staining, in relation to conventional protocols in the diagnosis of oral candidiasis. METHODS: We collected 106 oral swabs and 122 oral biopsy tissues from patients highly suspected with oral candidiasis. We applied fungal culture and periodic acid-Schiff reagent staining as the gold standard diagnostic tools. The efficacy of these methods in determining the presence of Candida was compared with that of fluorescent staining. RESULTS: In the majority of specimens subjected to fluorescent staining, fungal organisms were distinguished by blue fluorescence surrounding their tubular or annular shapes. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the fluorescent staining method were 82.7, 93.5, 76.7, 96.8 and 69.1% in oral swabs and 90.0, 92.9, 82.9, 96.0 and 82.9% in oral biopsy tissues, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal fluorescent staining represents a rapid method for detection of Candida, supporting its potential utility as an effective early diagnostic tool for oral candidiasis.

Candidiasis Causing Vocal Fold Leukoplakia: Review of Clinical and Pathological Results of 289 Cases With Vocal Fold Leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVE: In laryngology practice, vocal fold leukoplakia is frequently evaluated by suspension laryngoscopy and biopsy examination upon the patient's complaints of hoarseness and dysphonia. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and analyze risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results of cases with Candida leukoplakia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case control study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia who underwent direct laryngoscopy and biopsy between 2007 and 2017 and diagnosed as candida or noncandida in their histopathology were assigned into 2 groups. Then they were compared in terms of their demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results. RESULTS: Of the 289 vocal fold leukoplakia cases, 36 were candida, and 253 were noncandida. The mean age of the patients with Candida leukoplakia was 60.86 years. As for the age groups, the largest group (26.1%) was in the seventh decade (P < .001). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was a significant risk factor (P < .001). For their medical therapy, the patients were administered fluconazole 200 mg per day for 3 weeks, and the treatment yielded successful results in 91.66% of them. In 5 of the patients, candida leukoplakia and superficial epithelial dysplasia were observed, and no malignant transformation was observed during a mean follow-up of 28 ± 13 months. CONCLUSION: Candidiasis causing vocal fold leukoplakia is rare, and we report the findings of the largest published case series to date. Eliminating predisposing factors and administrating oral fluconazole 200 mg for 3 weeks are sufficient for medical treatment.

Soft Tissue Disorders of the Mouth.

Soft tissue disorders of the mouth encompass a wide expanse of pathophysiology. This article focuses on the identification, etiology, management, and complications of common infectious processes (candidiasis, dental caries, and herpes labialis), inflammatory lesions (sialolithiasis, oral lichen planus, and aphthous ulcer), and benign entities (bony tori and mucocele).