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Pathergy Test (Behcet's Disease)

Pathergy Test:

The pathergy test is helpful in diagnosing Behcet's Disease although not 100% specific. It is a simple test in which the forearm is pricked with a small, sterile needle. Occurrence of a small red bump or pustule at the site of needle insertion, 1 to 2 days after the test, constitutes a positive test. Although a positive pathergy test is helpful in the diagnosis of Behçet's disease, only a minority of Behçet's patients demonstrate the pathergy phenomenon (i.e., have positive tests). Patients from the Mediterranean region are more likely to demonstrate a positive response to a pathergy test. However, only 50% of patients in Middle Eastern countries and Japan have this reaction. This reaction is even less common in the United States. In addition, other conditions can occasionally result in positive pathergy tests, so the test is not 100% specific.