# PR3-ANCA Positive Behçet’s Disease with Severe Multisystem Involvement: A Diagnostic Challenge

**Authors:** Aleksandra Plavsic, Snezana Arandjelovic, Uros Karic, Jelena Ljubicic, Jovana Stanisavljevic, Adi Hadzibegovic, Dragan Vasin, Sergej Marjanovic, Rada Miskovic

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15222897 · 2025-11-15

## TL;DR

A young man with Behçet’s disease showed PR3-ANCA positivity typically seen in GPA, highlighting a diagnostic challenge and the need for tailored treatment.

## Contribution

This case highlights PR3-ANCA positivity in BD as a severe phenotype, not GPA overlap, emphasizing individualized treatment.

## Key findings

- PR3-ANCA positivity in BD may indicate a severe disease phenotype rather than GPA overlap.
- Multisystem involvement in BD requires complex immunosuppressive treatment.
- Diagnostic challenges arise when BD mimics GPA due to PR3-ANCA positivity.

## Abstract

Background: Behçet’s disease (BD) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) are distinct vasculitides. PR3-ANCA is considered specific for GPA, yet rare BD cases demonstrate positivity, creating diagnostic dilemmas. Case Presentation: We describe a young man fulfilling criteria for BD, presenting with recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, catastrophic jejunal perforations, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Despite strong PR3-ANCA positivity, the global phenotype was consistent with BD. Management required a complex, multimodal immunosuppressive regimen that included corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, therapeutic plasma exchange, and rituximab. Conclusions: PR3-ANCA positivity may represent a severe BD phenotype rather than true GPA overlap, underscoring the need for individualized treatment strategies.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Behçet’s disease (MONDO:0007191), myocardial infarction (MONDO:0005068), pulmonary embolism (MONDO:0005279)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** myocardial infarction (MESH:D009203), jejunal perforations (MESH:D007579), oral and genital ulcers (MESH:D019226), vasculitides (MESH:D014657), BD (MESH:D001528), pulmonary embolism (MESH:D011655), GPA (MESH:D014890), ocular inflammation (MESH:D007249)
- **Chemicals:** cyclophosphamide (MESH:D003520), rituximab (MESH:D000069283)

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12651247/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12651247