HLA Antigens Associated With Behçet's Disease

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Abstract
Behçet's disease is an illness of unknown origin that is characterized by major symptoms such as recurrent ulceration of the oral mucosa, skin lesions, ocular symptoms, and genital ulcers. Some of the minor symptoms are classified as arthritis, intestinal lesions, epididymitis, vascular symptoms, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.1 Some cases of Behçet's disease appear in an incomplete form (without ocular lesions or genital ulcers). A viral cause is suspected but unproved.2 Autoimmune mechanisms are claimed, and antibodies to oral mucosa are found in some patients.3 Recent studies suggest the role of cell-mediated immune response in the pathogenesis.4 This disease is more frequently seen in Japan, Turkey, and Italy, which suggests a genetic predisposition.5 Histocompatibility antigens associated with Behçet's disease have been studied by investigators in Japan, and an increase in HLA-B5 antigen was found.6-8 Recently, a suggestive increase in HLA-A28 in British patients with Behçet's disease

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