Salivary gland changes in chronic fatigue syndrome: A case-controlled preliminary histologic study

Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study is to compare labial salivary gland changes of 11 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with control subjects. Study Design: Changes in labial salivary glands were graded from 0 to 3+ for acinar dilatation, ductal dilatation, periductal fibrosis, plasmacytic infiltrate, lymphocytic infiltrate, mast cell infiltrate, and lymphocytic aggregates or foci. Results: Four of the 11 subjects had 2+ to 3+ changes in at least 4 of the 7 parameters examined. Only the presence of mast cells was statistically significant between the 2 groups. Two of these 4 patients had 1 lymphocytic focus per 4 mm2 of tissue. Conclusions: The salivary gland changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome show varying degrees of ductal and acinar dilatation, periductal fibrosis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, and occasional lymphocytic foci, all suggestive of primary gland damage. The one parameter that showed statistical significance was the presence of mast cells (Fisher exact test, 0.0125). (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;90:82-7)