Clinical Update on Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in HIV Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OOP) is a candidiasis of the oral mucosa, which is caused by yeast species of the genus Candida spp. and develops in individuals with predisposing factors such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.  Objectives: Update the clinical presentation of COF in HIV-infected individuals. Material and methods: A descriptive and retrospective bibliographic review of documents published by scientific societies that describe the current clinical approach to diagnosis will be carried out. For the bibliographic search, works published in recent years will be included and several documentary sources will be reviewed considering the keywords, to identify relevant and pertinent scientific articles in English and Spanish pages, in different databases such as: PubMed, Elsevier, NCBI, Google Scholar, medical bibliography and clinical practice guides will also be attached. Results: OFC presents clinically in a variety of ways, pseudomembranous, hypertrophic, erythematous and as angular cheilitis, although when the patient is assisted it is common to find mucosal lesions that are observed as whitish areas and erythema in the oropharyngeal region. Conclusions: It is important to consider its relationship with HIV infection, since it may be the first opportunistic manifestation in an individual who is unaware of his or her infection status.