How is Behcet’s disease diagnosed? | Behcet’s disease

How is Behcet’s disease diagnosed?

Patients suffering from Behcet’s disease are usually diagnosed after the appearance of externally visible symptoms. These include in particular the aphthae in the mouth as well as the aphthae in the genital area and other typical skin changes. In addition, a test can bring clarity as to whether one is suffering from Behcet’s disease or not.

This test is called the Pathergy Test. This involves injecting saline solution directly under the skin. If there is a skin reaction with nodules and inflammation at this point a short time later, the patient is most likely to have Behcet’s disease.

In addition, immunological blood tests or an MRI can be performed to make a diagnosis. The HLA system is a group of proteins that occur on the surface of cells and are important for the function of the immune system. The abbreviation HLA comes from the English language (Human Leukocyte Antigen).

HLA typing can be performed in patients suffering from Behcet’s disease. This determines whether the patient is HLA B51 positive. This is the case in 70 percent of all patients with Behcet’s disease.HLA determination is also performed as part of the diagnosis of Behcet’s disease.

Is Behcet’s disease contagious?

According to current knowledge, Behcet’s disease is not contagious. This is due to the fact that an autoimmune disease, i.e. a genetic defect, is described as the probable cause. The immune system, which is actually there to fight viruses, bacteria or fungi, recognizes the body’s own tissue as “foreign” and begins to fight it.

This misprogramming of the immune system is anchored in the genes and therefore not contagious. The symptoms of this disease are also not contagious. These also include the aphthae in the genital area or in the mouth. Contrary to popular opinion, there is therefore no risk of infection with aphthae either.