[Behçet's disease: from hippocrates to TNF-alpha-blockers].
Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis affecting small and large vessels (arteries, veins, veinules), characterized by recurrent oral ulcerations, genital ulcerations, inflammation of the eye and skin lesions. It can also involve articulations, central nervous system and gastro-intestinal tract. The etiology of this disease is still unknown, but the most largely discussed hypothesis is that of an important inflammatory response triggered by an infectious agent in a genetically susceptible host. The diagnostic is a based on clinical elements, because no specific diagnostic test exists. The treatment of Behçet's disease is depending on the clinical involvement and has been enlarged in recent years by TNF-alpha-blockers which constitute undoubtedly an important progress in the management of this complex disease.
Service d'immunologie et d'allergie, Département de médecine, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. jean-philippe.zuber@chuv.ch
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D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha