Work

Uncharted territory: retinal vasculitis and cryoglobulinemia in Behçet’s disease – a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and ocular involvement, often presenting with retinal vasculitis as a severe complication. Although mixed cryoglobulinemia, typically associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, is well-documented in other autoimmune diseases, its coexistence with BD is exceedingly rare. This report details the case of a 56-year-old male presenting with BD complicated by HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia, manifesting as retinal vasculitis, purpuric skin lesions, and systemic vasculitis. Despite initial corticosteroid treatment, the patient required escalated therapy, including immunosuppressants and antiviral agents, to achieve disease stability. This case underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing BD with secondary cryoglobulinemia and highlights the complex interplay between autoimmune and viral-induced vasculitis. Our findings contribute to the literature by documenting a rare presentation of BD and providing insights into comprehensive treatment strategies for similar cases.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1533595

Authors: Yadan Zou, Kun Yang, Xiaoying Zhang, Sheng-Guang Li

Institutions: Peking University, Peking University International Hospital, Shanxi Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801