Article excerpts about the
causes of Behcet's Disease:
The exact cause of Behçet’s disease is unknown. Most of
the symptoms are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels,
particularly veins. Inflammation is the body’s characteristic reaction
to injury or disease and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness,
heat, and pain. Doctors think that an autoimmune reaction may cause
blood vessels to become inflamed, but they do not know what triggers
this reaction. In an autoimmune reaction, the immune system mistakenly
attacks and harms the body’s own tissues. Under normal conditions, the
immune system protects the body from diseases and infections by killing
harmful “foreign” substances, such as germs, that enter the body.
Behçet’s disease is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another. Researchers think that two factors are probably important in its development. First, it is believed that abnormalities of the immune system make some people susceptible to the disease. Researchers think that this problem may be inherited; that is, it may be due to one or more specific genes. Second, something in the environment, possibly a bacterium or virus, might trigger or activate the disease in susceptible people. Researchers have found that people who have frequent strep infections (caused by Streptococcus bacteria) are more likely to develop Behçet’s disease. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Behcets Disease: NIAMS)
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Behcet's Disease may be found in:
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