HCV Infection Alters Salivary Gland Histology and Saliva Composition.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common blood-borne chronic infection in the United States. Chronic lymphocytic sialadenitis and sicca syndrome have been reported in chronic HCV infection. Up to 55% of these patients may have xerostomia; the mechanisms of the xerostomia and salivary gland (SG) hypofunction remain controversial. The objectives of this project are to establish if xerostomia associates with SG and HCV infection and to characterize the structural changes in SG and saliva composition. Eighteen HCV-infected patients with xerostomia were evaluated for SG dysfunction; 6 of these patients (patients 1-6) were further evaluated for SG histopathological changes and changes in saliva composition. The techniques used include clinical and laboratory assessment, SG ultrasonog

SUBMITTER: Maldonado JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9052835 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature