Immunological studies on aphthous ulcer and erythema nodosum-like eruptions in Behcet's disease.
Patients with Behcet's disease show an intense delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction to a group of streptococcal bacteria. We have attempted to detect deposits of immune complexes and to analyse cytological reactions in the aphthous ulcers and erythema nodosum (EN)-like eruptions. Deposits of IgM and positive fluorescence of anti-streptococcal group D serum were found in vessel walls and sites infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Cytological analysis has revealed that the inflammatory infiltrating cells are mainly composed of activated T-cells and macrophages in association with natural killer cells. These results suggest that DH reactions with antigen-antibody mediated cytotoxicity may play an important role in causing the lesions of Behcet's disease.
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000276:immunology; D004893:Erythema Nodosum / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007075:Immunoglobulin M