HIV‐associated salivary gland disease – clinical or imaging diagnosis?

Abstract

US examination proved to be essential for the correct diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of HIV/SGD.

High prevalence of dental caries among HIV‐infected children in West Africa compared to uninfected siblings

“…Salivary gland disease, which occurs frequently in HIV‐infected children, often results in the impairment of the quantity and the quality of saliva . In particular, non‐immune oral antimicrobial factors, such as salivation, buffer effect, mucins or salivary proteins (lysozyme and lactoferrin) may be altered . In our study, we did not detect an association between bilateral parotid enlargement and dental caries, but this does not exclude the effect of such a mechanism because salivary gland disease can occur and resolve spontaneously and is often undiagnosed .…”

“…In particular, non‐immune oral antimicrobial factors, such as salivation, buffer effect, mucins or salivary proteins (lysozyme and lactoferrin) may be altered . In our study, we did not detect an association between bilateral parotid enlargement and dental caries, but this does not exclude the effect of such a mechanism because salivary gland disease can occur and resolve spontaneously and is often undiagnosed . Nevertheless, it may have caused a break in the equilibrium between host factors and oral microbiota, making the HIV‐infected children more vulnerable to dental caries.…”