Lymphocytic infiltrates and epithelial HLA-DR expression in lip salivary glands in connective tissue disease patients lacking sicca: a prospective study.

Focal lymphocytic infiltrations indistinguishable from what has been described in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were found in lip salivary gland (LSG) biopsies in 15 of 80 patients with various connective tissue diseases (CTDs) lacking sicca. During a 4-year follow-up period, none of the patients developed symptoms or signs of decreased lacrimal or salivary gland function. Focal lymphocytic infiltrates of LSGs seemingly unrelated to glandular function are to be found in patients' various CTDs and therefore the diagnostic value of a positive LSG biopsy in this context has to be questioned.