Behcet's disease and infection

Abstract

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. Uveitis, which is common and therapeutically challenging, is the major ocular manifestation of BD. Researches have shown that, in addition to the genetic components (e.g. HLA-B51), environmental factors such as infection also play important roles in the pathogenesis of BD. In recent years, with the advances in bio-detecting technologies, accumulating evidence has shown an association between microbial infections and previously believed non-infectious immune disorders. Specifically, there has been increasing research interest in roles of infection in pathogenesis of BD. A variety of microbes, including streptococcus sanguis, staphylococcus aureus, intestinal flora, herpes simplex virus and etc., have been suggested to be involved. The objective of this article is to review current research progress concerning BD and infection, as well as to provide some recommendations for future investigations into this subject. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 636-640).