Behcet's disease

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Doctors don't know what causes Behcet's disease. Many believe Behcet's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which your body's defense system — your immune system — turns on itself. Rather than attack foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body.

Behcet's disease is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some researchers believe a virus or bacterium may trigger Behcet's disease in people who have a certain genetic background. Other possible triggers that could set off the immune system could include chemicals or heavy metals.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Smith EL. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Behcet's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  2. Questions and answers about Behcet's disease. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/behcets/behcets.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  3. Smith EL, et al. Pathogenesis of Behcet's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.
  4. Smith EL, et al. Treatment of Behcet's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2008.

DS00822

Oct. 30, 2008

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger