IMMUNOGENETIC BASIS FOR THE TISSUE INVOLVEMENT IN BEHCETS SYNDROME

Abstract

The multifocal involvement in Behcet''s syndrome was grouped into a spectrum of 4 types, 3 of which appeared to have an immunogenetic basis. HLA-B5 was related to the ocular type of Behcet''s syndrome (relative risk 7.3), HLA-B27 to the arthritic type (relative risk 12.1) and HLA-B12 to the muco-cutaneous type (relative risk 3.9). The concept that recurrent oral ulceration and Behcet''s syndrome may belong to a disease spectrum is substantiated by the natural course of the disease. Patients with recurrent oral ulcers share with the muco-cutaneous type of Behcet''s syndrome a significantly increased frequency of HLA-B12 (relative risk 2.6). The HLA markers may also prove to be significant in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of a disease which may present under a confusing variety of clinical manifestations.