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Kikuchi N, Miura T, Yamamoto T. Behçet’s disease diagnosed by pregnancy-exacerbated genital ulcers. Our Dermatol Online. 2017;9(1):97-98.
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Behçet’s disease diagnosed by pregnancy-exacerbated genital ulcers

Nobuyuki Kikuchi, Takako Miura, Toshiyuki Yamamoto

Department of Dermatology, Fukushima Medical University, Public university in Fukushima, Japan

Corresponding author: Prof. Toshiyuki Yamamoto, E-mail: toyamade@fmu.ac.jp

Submission: 20.04.2017; Acceptance: 18.07.2017

DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20181.31

Sir,

A 35-year-old female visited our hospital, complaining of painful lesions on the lower extremities. She denied prior sore throat or upper airway infection. Physical examination showed a few tender, subcutaneous nodules with redness on the surface of the bilateral lower legs (Fig. 1a). Pyrexia, joint pain and mucous lesions were not observed. Laboratory data showed an increased level of C-reactive protein (CRP) (1.57 mg/dl), but were otherwise normal. Histological examination revealed septal panniculitis showing infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues (Figs. 1b and c). Vasculitis was not observed. This was the first time that she had developed painful subcutaneous nodules, and she denied both frequent oral aphthae and previous history of genital ulcer. One year later, she became pregnant for the first time and visited our department complaining of genital ulcers at the week 31 of pregnancy (Fig. 2a). A biopsy specimen taken from her ulcerative labia majora showed a number of neutrophils throughout the dermis (Fig. 2b). Laboratory examination showed elevated levels of white blood cell counts (11,000/µl) and C-reactive protein (0.99 mg/dl). Serum IgD was elevated (27.5 mg/dl, normal <9.0). Liver and renal functions were normal, and anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-SS-A, and anti-SS-B antibodies were all negative. Results of the phthalmological examination were normal.

The present case initially developed erythema nodosum, and one year later, during pregnancy, she developed genital ulcers and was diagnosed with incomplete type Behçet’s disease (BD). The influence of pregnancy on BD is controversial. In some cases, remissions or no significant influences have been reported [1–3], while exacerbation of BD has been reported in other cases [4–6]. In cases of worsening BD, mucocutaneous ulcerations seem to predominate during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy [3,5]. Consistent with this, our case also developed genital ulcers during the late phase of her first pregnancy.

Although pregnancy does not affect the natural development of BD in general, in an analysis of six reviews series, BD flares occurred in about 30% of the pregnancies, [3]. The main symptoms during BD flares were oral ulceration (58.3%), and genital ulceration (44.4%), followed by skin lesions (25%) and ocular inflammation (5.6%). In a case series of 44 pregnancies in patients with BD, remission was observed in more than half of the patients, whereas exacerbation was seen in 12 pregnancies (27.3%) [2]. Oral ulcers were the most frequently reported symptom that increased in intensity and severity, but other signs such as genital ulcers, eye inflammation and arthritis have also been reported. In another series of 16 cases, the number of worsening BD during pregnancy was greater than remission [6]. In the same series, deep and frequent genital ulcers were most frequently observed (n=7), and one patient was diagnosed with BD during pregnancy, like our case. Similar to our case, a previous report showed a case with vaginal ulcers appearing during pregnancy, which healed immediately after delivery, suggesting the effects of progesterone withdrawal [5]. BD has been considered to show a Th1-polarized response. Many studies have suggested a predominant Th2-type immunity during pregnancy. Thus, pregnancy-induced immune conditions may inhibit a Th1-shifted imbalance [7], which may generally lead to remission in BD. On the other hand, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) increases with pregnancy development, which may contribute to the amelioration of BD. Furthermore, interleukin-10 (IL-10) production decreases in the third trimesters of pregnancy, resulting in an increase in the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines [8]. Taken together, the effects of pregnancy on the activity of BD are various, and differ depending on each individual case.

Consent

The examination of the patient was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles.

REFERENCES

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8. Moreli JB, Ruocco AMC, Vernini JM, Rudge MVC, Calderon IMP. Interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in pregnancy:aspects of interest in clinical obstetrics. ISRN Obstet Gynecol. 2012;2012:230742.

Notes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.