ERYTHEMATOUS CANDIDIASIS IN A PATIENT WITH PROLONGED POST-COVID-19 XEROSTOMIA: A CASE REPORT

Oral manifestations in patients affected by COVID-19 are commonly reported, since the oral mucosa is a target for viral infection. A 27-year-old female patient presented vomiting, cough, fever, headache, myalgia, dry mouth, aneusmia, hypogeusia, and diarrhea. RT-PCR was performed, confirming a diagnosis of COVID-19. After the infection, aneusmia and hypogeusia regressed, but xerostomia remained. Three months later, the patient reported the appearance of an asymptomatic, erythematous, symmetrical, centralized lesion on the dorsum of the tongue. After clinical examination, the diagnostic hypothesis of erythematous candidiasis, caused by reduced salivary flow, was considered. Oral hygiene guidance was provided, as was the prescription of 5ml nystatin mouthwash. After 12 days of treatment and follow-up, substantial improvement of the lesions was noticed. However, as there were still remnants of lesions, it was recommended that the treatment be extended for another 3 days, totaling 15 days, with total regression of the condition.