Skin prick test with oral streptococcal antigen as a new diagnostic test for Behçet’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Behçet’s disease (BD) is a rare systemic vasculitis disorder of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent attacks of oral aphthous ulcers, genital sores and ocular lesion (triple-symptoms complex). Although the actual aetiology of BD is still unclear, the pathogenesis has been generally clearer by the etiological research based on the genetic intrinsic factors and immunological reactions to the extrinsic triggering factors in environmental agents. Aim of the Work: To determine the reliability of skin prick test using streptococcal antigen extracted from saliva of Behçet patient, for in vivo diagnosis of Behçet disease in comparison to the usual pathergy test. Patients and Methods: The study is a cross sectional study that was carried out from July 2017 to April 2019 at inpatient and outpatient clinic. Results: All these results showed that skin prick test using streptococcal antigen extracted from saliva of Behçet patient could be a new diagnostic test for Behçet’s disease. The diagnostic accuracy of skin prick using streptococcal antigen extracted from saliva of Behçet patient in Behçet’s disease is 81.7%%, with sensitivity = 63.3%, specificity = 100%, positive predicted value = 100% and negative predicted value = 73.17%. Conclusion: Skin prick test using streptococcal antigen extracted from saliva of Behçet patient showed a good diagnostic value in Behçet’s disease