[Clinical pictures of orointestinal candidiasis. Fiction or reality?].

The oral cavity and the oesophagus are the main sites of involvement in orointestinal candidosis. The clinical pictures of these manifestations are characterized. Involvement of the stomach as well as the small and large intestine is an exceedingly rare but possible manifestation. There are obviously no repeatedly occurring characteristical symptoms, neither have controlled studies confirmed such characteristics. Recently a discussion has arised-undoubtedly to a large extent influenced by public media-to explain a variety of in particular gastrointestinal symptoms as a consequence of an apparent "mycotic infection of the orointestinal tract" as "a new mass disease". These reports lack any scientific basis supported by experimental or clinical studies. There are similarities to the "candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome" or "the yeast connection", the existence of which has been critically denied by experts. Corresponding references are given. The author realizes the necessity to oppose this public debate on a critical scientific basis and to answer open questions by controlled studies.