THE ROLE OF ORAL FLUID IN THE PATHOGENESIS AND DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL CANDIDIASIS IN NEWBORNS
Keywords:
Keywords: newborns, oral candidiasis, oral fluid, saliva, local immunity, Candida albicans, pediatric dentistry, neonatal oral health, diagnosis.Abstract
Abstract.Oral candidiasis is one of the most common infectious diseases
affecting the oral cavity of newborns. The development of this condition is associated
with the immaturity of the neonatal immune system, the structural characteristics of
the oral mucosa, and alterations in the composition of oral fluid. Oral fluid plays a
crucial role in maintaining oral homeostasis through its mechanical, antimicrobial,
immunological, and protective functions. This article reviews the role of oral fluid in
the pathogenesis and diagnosis of oral candidiasis in newborns. Particular attention is
paid to the biochemical and immunological components of oral fluid, including
secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), lysozyme, lactoferrin, pH, and microbial
colonization. The findings indicate that disturbances in oral fluid composition
contribute significantly to fungal colonization and disease progression. Assessment of
oral fluid parameters may serve as a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool for the early
detection and monitoring of oral candidiasis in neonates.
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