Hospital dental management as an adjunct to systemic therapy in refractory oral candidiasis in severe combined immunodeficiency.
Renata Zoraida Rizental Delgado, Antônio Carlos Pastorino, Juliana Bertoldi Franco
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 15-month-old male with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) presented with persistent oral and esophageal candidiasis despite prolonged systemic antifungal treatment. A structured hospital dental protocol was implemented, involving mechanical biofilm disruption and optimized topical nystatin application. After 21 days, the patient achieved complete resolution of oral lesions, improved mucosal integrity, and better feeding tolerance without increasing systemic antifungal therapy.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In cases of refractory oral candidiasis in SCID, consider the role of biofilm persistence and mucosal immune failure, and not just antifungal resistance.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of targeted dental interventions in managing complex infections in immunocompromised patients, potentially improving clinical outcomes before transplantation.