Forum for Clinical and Surgical Oral Pathology

Case BBOPF 09-2

Dr. Faizan Alawi (University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Philadelphia, PA. USA) invites your comments and suggestions for the ensuing case. Please send your comments in the window located below the images. This case will be posted from February 17-24, 2009. A summary of the responses will be posted in BBOP.

Summary

I received a cytologic smear from a patient with a complaint of dry mouth and who is currently being evaulated for possible autoimmune disease. Intraorally, there was only minimal erythema with no pain, ulcerations or discrete masses. The slide was stained with PAS. There is clearly a fungal organism, which I think may represent candida dubliniensis. However, apart from reading about it, I've never actually seen this organism under the scope and I can't seem to find any online resources that show what it looks like histologically. I would appreciate any insight you can provide me. I have already suggested to the clinician to culture it for a more definitive diagnosis.

Thanks,
Faizan Alawi

Images

(Larger images witll open in a new window or tab.)

[Click for a larger image]	[Click for a larger image]	[Click for a larger image]
[Click for a larger image]	[Click for a larger image]	[Click for a larger image]

Case prepared by Dr. Alfredo Aguirre (BBOP Manager) and Daniel Emmer (Web Administrator, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine).