Oral Candidiasis

Normal host immunity disrupted, CD4 cell count drops below 350

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C albican cause overgrowth of yeast on the oral mucosa

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Desquamation of epithelial cells

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Accumulation of bacteria, keratin, and necrotic tissue

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Formation of pseudomembrane (adhere to mucosa)

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Edema, ulceration and necrosis of the underlying mucosa

*Antibiotics trigger thrush by killing the mouth's normal population of bacteria. Once these normal bacteria are gone, Candida can grow without competition. People with dry mouth have less saliva and are more prone to developing thrush. \