Xerostomia, hyposalivation and sialadenitis in patients with chronic hepatitis C are not associated with the detection of HCV RNA in saliva or salivary glands.

Objective: Salivary gland disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have been considered oral extrahepatic manifestations, reinforcing the hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a sialotropic virus. Hence, the authors investigated the prevalence of HCV RNA in saliva and salivary glands and its possible association with xerostomia, hyposalivation and sialadenitis in patients with CHC.

Patients And Methods: In 65 patients with confirmed CHC, the HCV RNA was investigated by nested RT-PCR in saliva samples and minor salivary glands.