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Behçet Disease

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The Microbiome in Rheumatic Diseases and Infection

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Abstract

Behçet disease (BD) is a multifactorial inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent attacks affecting mucocutaneous and ocular tissues as well as joints, blood vessels, and central nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Although this distinct set of manifestations was first thought to be associated with a generalized viral infection, no specific causative agent could be isolated. But several microorganisms, including uncommon serotypes of streptococcal strains and herpes simplex virus, have been implicated as triggers of disease manifestations in genetically susceptible individuals, and a hypersensitivity to streptococcal antigens and a possible cross-reactivity with self-proteins have been suggested in the pathogenesis of BD. Genetic factors may play a role in susceptibility to certain microbial agents as well as in the hyper-reactive immune response to these pathogens and other dangerous insults. Identification of the genetic and immunologic basis of the disordered host—microbial interactions is expected to provide insights to reduce the impact of BD in the patients as well as in the high-risk populations.

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Abbreviations

BD:

Behçet disease

HLA:

Human leukocyte antigen

HSP60:

Heat shock protein 60-kDa

HSP65:

Heat shock protein 65-kDa

ICR:

Institute of Cancer Research

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahmet Gül

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  1. Ahmet Gül
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Correspondence to Ahmet Gül .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Gaafar Ragab

  2. University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

    T. Prescott Atkinson

  3. University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

    Matthew L. Stoll

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Gül, A. (2018). Behçet Disease. In: Ragab, G., Atkinson, T., Stoll, M. (eds) The Microbiome in Rheumatic Diseases and Infection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-79026-8_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-79026-8_27

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