Necrotizing lesions in Sjögren's syndrome. I. An immunofluorescent study

Necrotizing lesions were found in labial salivary glands from patients bearing Sjögren's syndrome associated to rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In small and well circumscribed areas, parenchyma necrosis was accompanied by oedema, polymorphs and plasma cells. Immunoglobulins and complement deposition was demonstrated in serial sections. The immunological basis of these lesions and their significance in Sjögren's syndrome are discussed.