Large genital ulcers in a patient with Behqet's disease associated with imiquimod cream treatment for external genital warts

摘要

Behget's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized mainly by recurrent oral and genital ulcers. Although the pathogenesis is still unknown, an immune dysfunction appears to be involved. Investigators have reported increased serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-lbeta, IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in patients with active disease, indicating a polarized T helper (Th)l immune response and ongoing inflammation. Furthermore, high levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12, TNF-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma- as well as the Thl-associated chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR3, have also been found in oral ulcers in BD patients. We report a patient with BD in whom appearance of genital ulcers was triggered by topical imiquimod therapy.