The multiple faces of Behcet's disease and its aetiological factors

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic, inflammatory multisystemic condition of unknown aetiology. It is clinically characterized by recurrent orogenital ulcerations and skin eruptions; ocular manifestations; arthritis; vasculiti s and in some cases neurological and large vessel involvement. Aetiology ha s not been defined, but genetic, environmental, viral, bacterial and immuno logical factors have been proposed as causative agents. Treatment includes colchicine, thalidomide, steroids and immunosuppressive agents and it is ba sed on the severity of systemic manifestations, such as central nervous sys tem involvement, arterial aneurysms and thrombosis of the major veins. Mort ality is related to major system involvement. In this article the different clinical features, the multiple faces of ED and a list of currently suspec ted aetiological factors of the disease are discussed, and treatment modali ties summarized.