Behcet's disease

Behcet's disease is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown origin, characterized by re current oral and genital ulcerations, ocular and cutaneous lesions, arthritis, central nervous system, and vascular disease. There is no pathognomonic laboratory test, but there are clinical criteria to assist in establishing the diagnosis. Behcet's is most common along the Silk Road, It is particularly common among persons who have the HLA-B51 major histocompatibility type. Cutaneous lesions include pustules, erythema nodosum like lesions. Sweet's-like lesions, pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions, and pathergy, The major cutaneous findings may be classified as neutrophilic vascular reactions. There is considerable morbidity resulting from Behcet's disease, most notably a high risk of blindness from ocular involvement. Mortality may occur as a result of neurologic or vascular disease or gastrointestinal perforation, Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.