Antimycotic Agents in Oral Candidosis: An Overview: 2. Treatment of Oral Candidosis

From Volume 27, Issue 4, May 2000 | Pages 165-174

Authors

Arjuna N.B. Ellepola

BDS (Hon.), PhD

Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine & Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Faculty of Dentistry, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, University of Hong Kong

Articles by Arjuna N.B. Ellepola

Lakshman P. Samaranayake

BDS, DDS, FRCPath, FHKCPath, CBiol, MIBiol, FHKAM (Dental Surgery), FHKAM (Pathology)

Chair Professor of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, University of Hong Kong

Articles by Lakshman P. Samaranayake

Abstract

As both humans and fungi are eukaryotic organisms, antifungal agents affect their cellular metabolism. Thus, a relatively few antifungals with minimal toxicity and side-effects are available compared with a plethora of antibacterials. These agents currently prescribed in dentistry belong to two major groups, the polyenes (nystatin and amphotericin B) and the azoles (imidazoles and triazoles). A newly recognized phenomenon known as the post-antifungal effect implies that antifungals, even at sub-therapeutic concentrations, may suppress the virulent attributes of yeasts, especially intra-orally where topical drug levels fluctuate dramatically during dosing intervals.

Article

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