HIV-associated salivary disease

HIV-associated salivary disease is a relatively benign condition. Dry mouth, dry eyes and enlarged parotid glands (the glands in front of the ears that swell during mumps) are symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction. Swollen glands, also known as parotitis, are the result of cysts and lesions in the salivary gland tissue.1 2

There are a number of theories about the cause of this condition. Some research has suggested that salivary tissue lesions are a manifestation of swollen lymph glands that can affect people with HIV, known as persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL). Cysts are thought to occur when lymph fluid or tissue seeps into the glands.3 4,5

Other research has found evidence of a connection between salivary dysfunction and CMV.6

Cysts and lesions are usually benign; however malignant lymphoma may occur.

References

  1. Greenspan D et al. Oral manifestations of HIV infection. AIDS Clinical Care 9(4):29-33, 1997
  2. Schmidt Westhausen A et al. HIV-associated salivary gland diseases. Review of the literature and 3 case reports. Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir 1: 82-85, 1997
  3. di Giuseppe JA et al. Lymphoid infiltrates of the salivary glands: pathology, biology and clinical significance. Curr Opin Oncol 8: 232-237, 1996
  4. Craven DE et al. Response of lymphoepithelial parotid cysts to antiretroviral treatment in HIV-infected adults. Ann Intern Med 128: 455-459, 1998
  5. Maiorano E et al. Lymphoepithelial cysts of salivary glands: an immunohistochemical study of HIV-related and HIV-unrelated lesions. Human Pathology 29(3):260-265, 1998
  6. Greenberg MS et al. Relationship of cytomegalovirus to salivary gland dysfunction in HIV-infected patients. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontics 83(3):334-339, 1997

HIV-associated salivary disease

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