Lymphocytic Infiltration Of Salivary Glands Research Articles

Periductal lymphocytic infiltration of salivary glands in Sjo¨gren's syndrome with relation to clinical and immunologic findings

We studied 113 patients who were suspected to have Sjo¨gren's syndrome (SS) because they had dry mouth and dry eyes, and who were determined as not having any other autoimmune disease, to clarify the relationship of periductal lymphocytic infiltration of salivary glands to clinical and immunologic findings in relation to SS. Periductal lymphocytic infiltrations were observed in the labial and/or the parotid glands of 57 patients (P-group). The salivary glands of the other 56 patients did not demonstrate obvious histologic changes (N-group). The stimulated salivary flow rate of parotid glands of the patients in both the P- and N-groups was significantly reduced when compared with healthy persons. However, no difference in the flow rate was observed between the P- and N-groups. In contrast, the percentage of patients in the P-group with keratoconjunctivitis sicca was significantly higher than that of patients in the N-group. Percentage of γ-globulin fraction and IgG level in the sera of the patients in the P-group were both significantly higher than those in the N-group. The percentages of patients who demonstrated the serum rheumatoid factor, anti-SS-A, and anti-SS-B antibodies were also significantly higher in the P-group than in the N-group.

Recurrent parotid gland enlargement as an initial manifestation of Sj�gren syndrome in children

Recurrent parotid gland enlargement is a common disorder in children, while that of auto-immune aetiology is rare. Three children with recurrent parotid swelling had autoantibodies including antinuclear antibody, anti-SS-A (Sjögren syndrome-A), SS-B (Sjögren syndrome-B) antibodies and rheumatoid factor, abnormal sialograms and lymphocytic infiltration of salivary glands, which were consistent with Sjögren syndrome. Initially, all three lacked symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. During follow up, two patients developed xerostomia and were diagnosed as having primary Sjögren syndrome. Recurrent parotid enlargement appears to be important as an initial manifestation of Sjögren syndrome in children.