title: Sjogren's syndrome: direct immunofluorescence in diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune inflammatory exocrinopathy. In the classical clinical presentation, diagnosis is readily achieved but this is less easy in early disease or oligosymptomatic forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have used direct immunofluorescence (d.i.f.), with IgG antibodies, comparing salivary gland biopsies from subjects with SS compared with control subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Direct immunofluorescence, using antibodies anti-IgG and demonstrating positivity for all the examined champions of SS while it is negative for control biopsies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct immunofluorescence, on salivary glands by biopsy, can be considered a valid additional aid to the diagnosis of subclinical SS.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology Service, First Department of Odontostomatology, Second University of Naples Medical School, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Femiano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*