(Tongue: central papillary atrophy/median rhomboid glossitis; palate: chronic multifocal candidiasis)
Candidiasis is a common fungal infection that affects the oral cavity. This is an opportunistic infection that occurs when the oral flora is altered from dry mouth, smoking, immune suppression, antibiotic use and the like. There are several types, including pseudomembranous, erythematous, central papillary atrophy, chronic multifocal, angular cheilitis, denture stomatitis and hyperplastic.
Central papillary atrophy is a form of erythematous candidiasis that does not display the typical white, wipeable lesions of candidiasis. Patients may complain of sensitivity, such as burning of the mucosa. The clinical presentation of this lesion will show a well-demarcated area of erythema and depapillation at the midline of the tongue. When the tongue is at rest, it can contact the palate, which then becomes infected. When other sites like this are affected, the presentation is called chronic multifocal candidiasis. Antifungal medication is the treatment of choice.
Common mistakes
• There are several different types
of oral candidiasis. Pseudomembranous candidiasis
is the most common form, but the other, less common types are often overlooked.