Viral sialadenitis

Introduction:

Viral infections involving salivary glands are rather common in children.  These infections lead to acute inflammation of the involved salivary gland.  The most common viral infection involving salivary glands is Mumps infection.

Mumps infection:

This is the most common viral infection involving the salivary glands. Submandibular and sublingual salivary glands are very rarely involved.   This is rather common in children aged between 4-6 years.  This scenario is likely to change with popularisation of the Mumps vaccine.  Mumps are not common in adults due to the common presence of neutralizing antibodies.

Features of Mumps infection:

Parotid glands are commonly involved.  Incubation period ranges between 2-3 weeks.   Parotid swelling is invariably preceded by the development of fever, malaise, and myalgia.

Diagnosis is usually by demonstrating mumps s antigen, mumps v antigen and haemagglutination antigen.

Mumps virus can be isolated from the urine of affected individuals.  It may be present in the urine about 6 days prior to infection and may persist up to 2 weeks after the infection has subsided.

Majority of mumps infection may remain subclinical.

Complications:

1. Sudden deafness
2. Pancreatitis
3. Meningitis
4. Orchitis

Other viral infections involving the salivary glands include:

1. Cytomegalovirus – Involves new borns. This can lead to physical and mental retardation.  These patients manifest with hepatosplenomegaly and thrombocytopenia.
2. Coxakie virus
3. Echo virus
4. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus