[Pathogenic concepts, nosological limits and diagnostic criteria of Behçet's disease]

Behçet's disease, a multi-system disease, raises aetiological and classification problems. Its aetiology is unknown, although several factors have been incriminated in its pathogenesis: immunogenetic, toxic, viral, hormonal,... It overlaps with several groups of diseases: seronegative spondyloarthritis, connective tissue diseases, angiitis, uveomeningitis and aphthosis. Several diagnostic criteria proposed by various authors are discussed.