Other Fungal Infections

 

While candidiasis accounts for the majority of oral fungal infections, the prevalence of other fungal infections has been increasing. This is thought to be occurring due to the growing numbers of immunocompromised individuals as well as the ease of modern international travel (Scully, 2017b). 

 

Other species that are known to cause oral fungal infections include: Aspergillus spp, Blastomyces dermatitis, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum. 

 

These species are typically found in decaying plant matter. However, it has been reported that Aspergillus has been able to enter the sinuses after molar root canal procedures (Milian Masanet, Bagan Sebastian, Riera Grimalt, Lloria de Miguel, & Jimenez Soriano, 1998).

 

As with candidiasis, individuals who have compromised immune systems, are malnourished, or are not managing diabetes appropriately have an increased risk of developing these other fungal infections (Scully, 2017b). Fungal infections can be dangerous in part because most infections can remain asymptomatic until the infection spreads into the lungs or the heart where the effects are more serious and the treatment is less effective (Scully, 2017b).

 

 Symptomatic fungal infections can present as white or yellow lesions, they can appear as ulcers that do not heal, or as necrotic ulcers, and the variability in these injuries varies according to the fungal species. Additionally, the location of the lesions is generally consistent with fungal species.

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