Objective: To obtain baseline data on angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese.
Design: A cross-sectional investigation of the clinical, microbiological and ultrastructural features of the condition.
Subjects and method: Thirty six Chinese adults with angular cheilitis; 28 controls matched for age and sex, with no inflammation. Clinical examination, swabs of lesions for microbiology, impressions of lesions for ultrastructure, using replica technique.
Main outcome measures: Severity of lesions, associated signs and symptoms, incidence and type of microorganisms, ultrastructural features.
Results: Of a total 68 lesions 32 were bilateral and four unilateral. Forty four (65%) were mild (Type I) and the remaining 24 (35%) moderate (Type II). Infective agents were isolated from 37 (54%) lesions; pure growth of Candida spp and Staph. aureus was noted in nine lesions each; a mixed growth of the two in II, beta-haemolytic streptococci in three and a mixed flora including coliforms in the other five. Candida spp were present in one control, beta-haemolytic streptococci in two and coliforms in four others. Scanning electron microscopy revealed natural topography of the angular skin with sparse colonisation by bacteria and yeasts.
Conclusions: Angular cheilitis in Southern Chinese seems to be characterised by a milder clinical presentation and classic infective agents of the disease: Candida spp and Staph. aureus.