How do we manage oral infections in allogeneic stem cell transplantation and other severely immunocompromised patients?

The oral cavity is among the sites in the body most susceptible to infections. In the immunocompetent population these are most frequently localized odontogenic infections caused by bacteria. In severely immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation, fungal and viral infections become especially prominent. Infections in this population can present in an unusual fashion, can spread rapidly to other organs in the body, and are more frequently resistant to therapies. This article discusses the current knowledge of the most frequent presentations of infections in this patient population and reviews contemporary approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and management.