Non-Candida albicans Candida yeasts of the oral cavity

Abstract

Candida species are prevalent in the oral cavity, in particular among elderly patients with reduced salivary flow and/or dental prostheses, and in immunosuppressed patients. The most frequently encountered species are Candida albicans. Non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) strains, however, are isolated in increasing numbers in medically compromised patients. These strains may cause systemic infections and are often resistant to commonly used antifungal agents such as fluconazole. Candida species may be capable of metabolizing ethanol to carcinogenic acetaldehyde and can thus progress oral and upper gastrointestinal tract cancer. Consequently, more focus should be placed on diagnosis and treatment of oral Candida infections, also on other Candida species than C. albicans. This review outlines the current knowledge about the NCAC yeasts with emphasis on oral medicine.