Longitudinal evaluation of major salivary gland function in HIV‐1 infected patients

Parotid and submandibular gland function were evaluated in 12 HIV‐1 antibody‐positive men at two visits separated by a median interval of 14.5 months (range 6–22 months). Unstimulated and stimulated flow rates, and the concentrations of total protein, lysozyme, albumin and lactoferrin in these secretions, were determined. Parotid and submandibular gland secretions changed in a specific fashion with time. Lysozyme levels in both glandular stimulated secretions showed significant changes (∼40% and 70% elevated, between visits, in parotid and submandibular saliva, respectively). In addition, the frequency with which albumin was detected in unstimulated parotid secretions increased with time. These findings support earlier results suggesting the presence of alterations in major salivary gland function following HIV‐1 infection. Submandibular gland function appears to manifest these alterations earlier, but with time the parotid secretions show similar changes.