Parotid disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection in Zambia

Among the salivary glands the parotid is unusual in that it contains lymphoid tissue within its capsule. The focus of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the lymphatic system and this results in a specific HIV-related pathology in the parotid. This 2-year surgical audit of parotid disease in HIV-infected patients in Lusaka shows patients presenting with parotid lymphadenopathy, bilateral diffuse parotid enlargement and parotid lymphoepithelial cysts. Clinical presentation and management are discussed.