Mycotic infections of the oral cavity are caused by members of the genus Candida. In particular, C. albicans was found to be responsible for 80% of oral mycoses, however about 150 other members of the same genus such as C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. guillermondii, C. glabrata and C. dubliniensis have been isolated from this type of infection. The name Candida derives from the Latin candidus, which means white, candid, referring to the characteristic clinical aspect of the pseudomembranes that are formed during infection. Candida albicans is a commensal in the oral cavity of the 40-65% of the adult human population. In healthy individuals this colonization remains benign. Under immunodeficiency conditions, though, an infection can happen. Diagnosis of oral candidiasis is usually based on clinical aspects, patients’ symptoms and risk factors.
