Microflora in oral ecosystems in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: Knowledge of the effect of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) on the microbial flora in the different predilection sites for oral disorders is needed for planning preventive treatment. We carried out microbial analysis of samples from the dorsum of the tongue, smooth mucosa, supragingival tooth surfaces, and the gingival crevice region of 20 patients with pSS.

Methods: A clinical oral examination was performed and whole unstimulated and stimulated secretion rates were measured.

Ro/SS-A-reactive B lymphocytes in salivary glands and peripheral blood of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the production of anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies in labial salivary glands (LSG) and peripheral blood (PB) of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients. The ELISPOT method was performed to quantify the frequency of LSG lymphocytes and PB lymphocytes spontaneously secreting anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies. The total number of IgG-, IgA- and IgM-producing cells was also quantified.

Oral microbial flora in Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To study presence of microorganisms associated with caries, gingivitis, oral opportunistic infections, and extent of hyposalivation in dentate patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: An oral clinical examination was performed. The salivary flow was measured and a rinsing sample analyzed for presence of specific microorganisms.

Expression of the mucosal lymphocyte integrin alphaEbeta7 and its ligand E-cadherin in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The expression of the mucosal lymphocyte integrin alphaEbeta7 and its ligand E-cadherin was analyzed in sialadenitic lesions of patients with Sjögren's syndrome in order to assess the potential interactions between the mucosal and the systemic immunological compartments. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the inflammatory infiltrates in the salivary gland tissues in Sjögren's syndrome patients revealed presence of alphaEbeta7-integrin-expressing lymphocytes, in 18 of 20 biopsies examined. The ligand for alphaEbeta7, E-cadherin was also found in 18 of 20 salivary gland biopsies analysed.

Differential immunological aberrations in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to analyse possible differences in immunological features between patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Ten patients with primary SS and 10 patients with secondary SS also suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, were identified according to established criteria for SS. Ten healthy, age-matched women served as controls.