Subthreshold Autism Spectrum in a Patient with AnorexiaNervosa and Behçet’s Syndrome

Recently, increasing research stressed the presence of subthreshold autistic traits in patients with other psychiatric conditions. Inthis framework, a significant relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and the autism spectrum has been frequentlyreported, in particular among female samples, to the point that AN has been hypothesized to be a female phenotype of autismspectrum disorder (ASD). On the other hand, among subjects with ASD has been reported a higher prevalence of immunediseases and altered immune functions. While these reports seem to support an association between neurodevelopmental andimmune system alterations in ASD, the relationship between the immune system and the broader autism spectrum, including itssubthreshold manifestations, remains poorly investigated. In this report, we described the presence of autistic traits in a maleinpatient with AN and separation anxiety disorder, who also show a diagnosis of Behçet’s syndrome (BS). This case seems tofurther stress the association between AN and the autism spectrum, which may not be limited to the female gender. Moreover,it further suggests a deeper link between neurodevelopmental and immune system alterations. Implications are discussed inlight of the more recent neurobiological and psychopathological hypothesis about the autism spectrum.