Pharmacology · patient case question
What is the treatment for the palatal infection?
Patient case: Case: something under the denture
Scenario: A denture wearer reports feeling something beneath the prosthesis and is worried it may be malignant. On examination the palate is diffusely red beneath the denture, and there is a folded, fibrous overgrowth of tissue at the denture border. Four linked questions followed.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Nystatin
- A. Amoxicillin is antibacterial. It would not help and could worsen candidal overgrowth.
- B. Acyclovir is an antiviral for herpes group infections and has no antifungal activity.
- C. Chlorhexidine has some antifungal activity and is useful for disinfecting the denture, but it is not the definitive treatment.
- D. Correct. Nystatin is a topical polyene that binds ergosterol in the fungal membrane. It is not absorbed from the gut, so it acts locally with minimal systemic effect.
Note: The denture itself must be treated or the infection will simply recur — soak it nightly, and instruct the patient to stop wearing it overnight.