Study on association between polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 alleles and Behçet's disease

Background  Behçet's disease (BD) is known to be associated with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 in many ethnic groups. However, the association of HLA class II gene with BD has been described to be different according to different countries and regions.
Objective  This study aims to investigate the association between polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 alleles and BD.
Methods  Forty patients with BD and 100 healthy controls were typed for HLA-DRB1 alleles by the LABType^TM SSO method.
Results  The frequency of HLA-DRB1*14 was significantly higher in BD patients than in controls ( P <  0.05), while the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 was markedly lower in BD patients ( P <  0.05). Regarding clinical manifestations, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 was significantly decreased in BD patients with genital ulcerations compared with controls ( P <  0.05); the frequency of HLA-DRB1*14 was significantly increased in BD patients with erythema nodosum–like lesions and in BD patients with folliculitis-like lesions when compared to controls ( P <  0.05, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*14 was significantly increased in BD patients under 20 years of age at the onset of disease ( P <  0.01), while the frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 was significantly decreased in them ( P <  0.05), compared with controls.
Conclusion  The results suggested that HLA-DRB1 alleles might play an important role in the onset and clinical manifestations of BD.     

The efficacy of topical 0.2% hyaluronic acid gel on recurrent oral ulcers: comparison between recurrent aphthous ulcers and the oral ulcers of Behçet's disease

Background Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a primary component of the extracellular matrix, and the efficacy of HA on oral ulcers is rarely reported. Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of the topical application of 0.2% HA gel on recurrent oral ulcers and to compare its effects in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) and the oral ulcers of Behçet's disease (BD) Materials and methods Thirty‐three outpatients with recurrent oral ulcers were included in the study (17 patients: BD, 16 patients: RAU). The patients used topical 0.2% HA gel twice daily for 2 weeks. The subjective parameters of patients [number of ulcers, healing period, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain] were investigated and objective assessments (number of ulcers, maximal area of ulcer and inflammatory signs) were inspected by a physician. Results A subjective reduction in the number of ulcers was observed in 72.7% of the patients. A decrease in the ulcer healing period was observed in 72.7% of the patients; 75.8% experienced improvement in VAS for pain. Objective inspection of the ulcers showed a reduction of numbers in 57.6% of the patients, and 78.8% of the ulcers showed a decrease in area. Among the inflammatory signs, swelling and local heat were significantly improved after treatment. No significant differences were found between the BD group and RAU group in subjective and objective parameters, except for inflammatory signs. No side‐effects were observed. Conclusions The topical application of 0.2% HA gel seems to be an effective and safe therapy in patients with recurrent oral ulcers; the study supports the use of HA in BD with oral ulcers.