Late effects of chronic graft-vs.-host disease in minor salivary glands.
BACKGROUND
The established pathologic criteria for minor salivary gland (MSG) involvement in chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD) could play a role in monitoring response to therapy.


METHODS
We evaluated MSG sequential biopsies during cGVHD therapy in 14 allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients. Nine patients that did not develop GVHD after BMT entered the control group. Biopsies were examined using hematoxylin-eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and leukocyte common antigen staining.


RESULTS
A significant loss of PAS+ acinar volume was observed at the diagnosis of cGVHD as much as at the end of treatment when compared with the control group. In the second evaluation, the inflammatory infiltrate was still greater than control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that persistent xerostomia after cGVHD treatment is because of maintenance of lymphocytic infiltrate and consequent absence of MSG secretory unit recovery. This data may be useful to provide improved insight into the histopathology of this organ involvement.
Alborghetti
M R
MR
Department of Pathology, Medical School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), CEP 13081-970, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
Corrêa
M E P
ME
Adam
R L
RL
Metze
K
K
Coracin
F L
FL
de Souza
C A
CA
Cintra
M L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone