Which infection is characterized by the presence of white plaque in the oral cavity?

The presence of white plaques in the oral cavity is a hallmark sign of oral thrush, which is commonly associated with HIV/AIDS. Oral thrush, caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candida, presents as creamy white patches on the tongue and inner cheeks. This condition occurs when the immune system is compromised, as seen in AIDS, due to decreased T-cell function, allowing opportunistic infections to take hold more easily.

In the context of the other options, infections like influenza and malaria do not typically manifest with white plaques in the oral cavity. Influenza primarily affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches, while malaria is characterized by fever, chills, and other systemic symptoms arising from the Plasmodium parasite affecting red blood cells. Syphilis can cause oral lesions, but these are not generally described as white plaques, and its main presentations are more systemic or affect other organs. Thus, AIDS-related oral thrush stands out as the infection linked to white plaques in the oral cavity.