A patient has angular cheilitis with a reduced VDO. The most likely causative organism is:

Correct answer: B. Candida albicans

• A. S. aureus can cause angular cheilitis in nutritional deficiency — but in the context of reduced VDO, Candida is the primary cause.
• B. Angular cheilitis (perleche) with REDUCED VDO is classically caused by Candida albicans. The reduced VDO creates deep skin folds at the corners of the mouth, providing a warm, moist environment for Candida proliferation. Denture patients with collapsed VDO are especially prone.
• C. Streptococcal angular cheilitis occurs but is less common than Candidal angular cheilitis in the context of reduced VDO.
• D. HSV causes recurrent herpes labialis at the vermilion border — not angular cheilitis from VDO reduction.