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Article
Oral Fungal Microbiota: To Thrush and Beyond
Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews
  • Dennis J Baumgardner, Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Health Care
Publication Date
10-28-2019
Keywords
  • mycobiome,
  • oral candidiasis,
  • mouth disease,
  • mycoses,
  • Cryptococcus,
  • Candida
Abstract

The oral microbiota is complex, multikingdom, interactive, and involves extensive biofilm formation. While dominated by bacteria, Candida is a frequent member of this microbiota; however, several other potentially pathogenic fungi (among around 100 identified species) appear to reside in some individuals, including Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Fusarium. Oral candidiasis may manifest as a variety of disease entities in normal hosts and in the immunocompromised. These include pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush), hyperplastic or atrophic (denture) candidiasis, linear gingival erythema, median rhomboid glossitis, and angular cheilitis. The purpose of this review is to describe the oral fungal microbiota (ie, oral mycobiota), common mouth diseases caused by its members, predisposing factors and treatment, and the potential for causing disseminated disease like their bacterial counterparts.

Citation Information

Baumgardner DJ. Oral fungal microbiota: to thrush and beyond. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2019;6:252-61. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1705