This type of candidiasis is characterized, especially on the tongue, by marked erythema and depapillation. When in the buccal mucosa it has a spotty appearance. This variety is generally seen in patients undergoing long-term treatment with antibiotics for whatever cause and also in HIV positive and AIDS patients. The symptomatology in this variety is less intense than in acute pseudomembranous candidiasis.
Patients mostly complain of a burning sensation.
Erythematous candidiasis is not easily recognized and it can be mistaken for trauma or other infections. As well as the pseudomembranous variety, erythematous candidiasis is an excellent predictor of HIV infection. This HIV positive 35 year old male presented these erythematous lesions on the buccal mucosa, as indicated by the arrows. The patient complained of a burning sensation. A smear of the lesion, indicated by the central arrow, was stained with the PAS reaction and it is shown on the photograph to the right.