There is research out there on what is in Behcet's sores (from biopsies in the mouth, gut, genitals, skin, eyes) and also what is in periapical abscesses. Meaning what specific immune response is there. In both there are more of the gamma delta T lymphocytes as opposed to the alpha beta T cells. Gamma delta T lymphocytes make up only about 5% of the T cells. Their role is not as clearly defined as the alpha beta T lymphocytes. Embryonically, they originate from the same area as the lining of the gut, mouth, genitals, eyes and the teeth. (And also the eustachian tube and part of the inner ear where my wife has experienced some documented hearing loss. And also half of the pituitary gland, in which she has also had problems and the thyroid) In autoimmune diseases, what it is named has everything to do with what the target is that the body decides to attack. Arthritis- joints, MS- nerves, Lupus- connective tissue, Behcet's- endothelium of blood vessels, but only in certain places and smaller vessels, Wegners/Takayasu's - larger vessels. Why the certain targets is still a big mystery. But I see the target in Behcet's as all coming from the same embryological origin, of which teeth are a part of that.
There are other factors that are common to PA abscesses and Behcet's sores like Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). I need to look back in my notes to remember what the others are.

It Starts

Behcet's disease. That was my conclusion on Sept 6, 2006 for the reason for my wife's pain and varied health problems. Feb 2007 was when a Rheumatologist officially gave it that diagnosis.


I was going to use this blog to chronicle the journey of what we have learned in how to treat and hopefully beat this disease. It is now July 2009. I have been busy working on that goal but the experience has been such that I have not had the energy to share. I have learned a lot and hope to share that with others now.

I have been asked to speak at the American Behcet's Disease Association meeting in April 2010. I am a dentist with no credentials, or papers written on the subject other than that I have lived with trying to help my wife with the disease and have a mountain of research papers, notes and textbooks in my study on the subject. There has been a definite dental connection with the disease and I hope to spread the word concerning that so that dentists and patients alike can benefit from my experience.