Behçet's disease and streptococcal infection.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.
• Ocular involvement is a common and severe manifestation of Behçet's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential role of streptococcal infection in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.
• To compare streptococcal antigen levels in Behçet's disease patients with those in other uveitis patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Plasma streptococcal antigen titers were measured in 26 Behçet's disease patients, 30 other uveitis patients, and 63 healthy controls.
• A time-course study was conducted on Behçet's disease patients during ocular attacks and remission.
• Electron microscopy was used to examine blood samples for streptococcal L form-like structures.

Main Results:

• Behçet's disease patients exhibited significantly higher streptococcal antigen titers compared to normal controls and other uveitis patients.
• Antigen titers peaked during ocular attacks and decreased with subsiding inflammation.
• Streptococcal L form-like structures were observed in the blood of Behçet's disease patients during ocular attacks.

Conclusions:

• Streptococcal infection may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.
• Elevated streptococcal antigen levels are associated with active ocular inflammation in Behçet's disease.