Evaluation of the relationship between salivary concentration of anti-heat shock protein immunoglobulin and clinical manifestations of Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between the concentration of anti-heat shock protein (HSP) 60 antibody in resting saliva and the severity of Behçet's disease (BD).

METHOD: Sixty-five patients diagnosed with BD at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Based on clinical severity scores, patients were categorized as having mild, moderate, or severe BD. Periodontal status was evaluated with the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and anti-HSP60 antibody concentrations in resting saliva were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The mean antibody concentration in patients in the moderate group was significantly higher than concentrations in the mild and severe groups. No significant difference was found between the mild and severe groups. Gingival inflammation, identified with the CPI, was associated with a higher antibody concentration. The antibody concentration in patients who had stomatitis for more than 2 weeks was significantly higher than in those with stomatitis for less than 2 weeks. The antibody concentration in patients who had taken colchicine was significantly lower than that in subjects who had not.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the concentration of anti-HSP60 antibody in resting saliva may be effective as a non-invasive indicator for the diagnosis (screening) and prognostication of BD.