Post-mortem prevalence of lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrymal gland: a comparative study in autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases.

The prevalence of focal lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrymal gland was investigated in 131 autopsy cases, 115 without and 16 with autoimmune diseases (nine cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, three of rheumatoid arthritis and four of Sjögren's syndrome). Focal lymphocytic infiltration was observed in 63.5 per cent of patients without autoimmune diseases and in all of those with autoimmune diseases. In those without autoimmune diseases, the frequency of lymphocytic infiltration was higher among those older than 40 years, and there was no sex difference in prevalence. The incidence of moderate or severe infiltration (grade III or IV) was 7.8 per cent in patients without autoimmune diseases; 55.6 per cent in systemic lupus erythematosus; 66.7 per cent in rheumatoid arthritis; and 100 per cent in Sjögren's syndrome. The present observation suggests that focal lymphocytic infiltration is indicative of an immunological disorder of the lacrymal gland in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Epimyoepithelial island formation was observed in only one patient with Sjögren's syndrome.