Table 1 Infectious agents implicated in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (adapted from Mendoza-Pinto et al [5] and Kapsimali et al [36])
From: Hughes-Stovin Syndrome
Agent(s) | Pertinent rationale or refutation for involvement in Behcet's disease |
|---|---|
Hepatitis A, B, C, E viruses | - Serological evidence of previous HAV, HCV and HEV infections not significantly different in patients with Behcet's disease as compared to controls. - Previous HBV infection, however, seen in a significantly lower number of patients with Behcet's disease as compared with healthy controls. |
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) | Anti-HSV-1 antibodies observed more commonly in patients with Behcet's disease than controls. -DNA of HSV detectable in genital and intestinal ulcers but not in oral aphthous ulcers. |
Parovirus B19 | Parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies reported more in patients with Behcet's disease as compared to controls. |
Helicobacter pylori | Almost equal proportion of patients with Behcet's disease and controls had H. pylori infection following eradication therapy. |
Chlamydia pneumoniae | - IgG seropositivity for C. pneumoniae between cases and controls not significantly different. - However, proportion of seropositive cases with higher IgG titres was greater. |
Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus salivarius | - Attenuation of skin and arthritic involvement in Behcet's disease after antibiotic administration. - Hypersensitivity to cutaneous streptococcal antigens reported. - Aggravation of symptoms after dental manipulations. - Treatment of chronic oral infections impacts long term prognosis of disease positively. |
Saccharomyces cerevisiae | Unclear role, distribution and pathogenetic relationship of ASCA antibodies in patients with Behcet's disease. |
Heat shock proteins | - Role for heat shock proteins of mycobacteria and streptococci suggested in Behcet's disease. - Model of molecular mimicry thought to be responsible for manifestations of Behcet's disease. |