Angular Cheilitis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Candida albicans
Candida albicans is classically associated with angular cheilitis, although Staphylococcus aureus may coexist or occasionally predominate. Saliva pooling and maceration at the oral commissures promote infection, particularly where reduced denture support or loss of vertical dimension creates deep folds. Other associations include haematinic deficiency, diabetes and immunosuppression. Herpes simplex virus typically causes recurrent grouped vesicles or ulceration rather than persistent fissuring confined to the commissures. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, while Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are not characteristic causes of angular cheilitis.
Reference: Health Education England, Mouth Care Matters: A guide for health care professionals, section 13.2, Causes of angular cheilitis, 2019. https://mouthcarematters.hee.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/01/MCM-GUIDE-2019-Final.pdf