CLINICAL PICTURES OF OROINTESTINAL CANDID OSIS - FICTION OR REALITY

The oral cavity and the oesophagus are the main sites of involvement i n orointestinal candidosis. The clinical pictures of these manifestati ons are characterized. Involvement of the stomach as well as the small and large intestine is an exceedingly rare but possible manifestation . There are obviously no repeatedly occuring characteristical symptoms , neither have controlled studies confirmed such characteristics. Rece ntly a discussion has arised - undoubtedly to a large extent influence d by public media - to explain a variety of in particular gastrointest inal symptoms as a consequence of an apparent ''mycotic infection of t he orointestinal. tract'' as ''a new mass disease''. These reports lac k any scientific basis supported by experimental or clinical studies. There are similarities to the ''candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome' ' or ''the yeast connection'', the existence of which has been critica lly denied by experts. Corresponding references are given. The author realizes the necessity to oppose this public debate on a critical scie ntific basis and to answer open questions by controlled studies.