ORAL PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS CANDIDIASIS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS: A "HIDDEN" CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

Oral Pseudomembranous Candidiasis (OPC) is an opportunistic and "hidden" fungal infection related to immunosuppressed hospitalized patients. This study reports a clinical case of a white female patient, 69 years old, diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who presented with a severe oral pseudomembranous candidiasis after hospitalization. During the anamnesis, dysgeusia, xerostomia and burning mouth symptoms were reported. Intraoral examination revealed multiple white detachable plaques throughout oral mucosa. The initial management included the use of local antifungal medication resulting in a slightly improvement. However, due to the systemic conditions, a significant worsening of the oral fungal infection during the flowing days has occurred, requiring a systemic antifungal administration that promotes a full oral health recovering and patient's relief. The importance of qualified dentists working in hospital environments in order to diagnose "hidden" oral fungal infections such as OPC is critical to provide a comprehensive oral health patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]