Scanning electron microscopy of oral lesions in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.

The oral surfaces of 12 patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Candida albicans in massive numbers populated the surface of the infected mouth of each patient. Although pseudohyphae were the predominant forms, blastospores and chlamydospores were also found. Pseudohyphae penetrated the epithelium and seemed to enter through holes in the keratinized cells. Because specimen processing for SEM can be completed within six hours, the scanning electron microscope can be used to identify C albicans more rapidly than culture methods.