Minor salivary gland immunohistology in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine 2009-03, Vol.38 (3), p.282-288
• Main Authors: Salomonsson, Stina, Rozell, Barbro Lundh, Heimburger, Mikael, Wahren-Herlenius, Marie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Cell Count; chronic inflammation; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin M - biosynthesis; Immunohistochemistry; Immunophenotyping; Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa - immunology; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; plasma cells; Plasma Cells - metabolism; salivary gland; Salivary Glands, Minor - immunology; Salivary Glands, Minor - pathology; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Sjogren's Syndrome - classification; Sjogren's Syndrome - immunology; Sjogren's Syndrome - pathology; Sjögren's syndrome
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2008.00697.x

Background:  Focal lymphocytic infiltrates of minor salivary glands are considered target‐organ related signs of Sjögren’s syndrome. The percentages of plasma cells expressing IgA, IgG and IgM in minor salivary gland biopsies have also been suggested as useful in establishing a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, and this study aimed at evaluating this method. Methods:  All biopsies from patients under investigation for Sjögren’s syndrome (n = 210) at our department during 4 years were analyzed for IgA, IgG and IgM producing cells by immunohistochemistry, and related to Sjögren classification parameters. Results:  A focus score ≥1 was observed in 67/210 patients and the frequency of IgA producing cells was