Acquired immune deficiency syndrome--related lymphadenopathies presenting in the salivary gland lymph nodes

Homosexual males at risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) frequently present with peripheral lymphadenopathies that precede the opportunistic infections and neoplasias of this disease. Two homosexual males had enlarged salivary glands due to lymphadenopathies initially affecting intraparotid and perisubmaxillary gland lymph nodes. Both the hyperplastic and the atrophic histologic patterns of AIDS-related lymphadenopathies were observed in the lymph nodes. Subsequently, the two patients developed lymphoma and opportunistic infections, respectively. The AIDS-related lymphadenopathy developing in salivary gland lymph nodes is an entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.