Takayasu arteritis--five doctors in the history of Takayasu arteritis.

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic vasculitis mainly involving the aorta, its main branches, pulmonary and coronary arteries. Recent international survey has made clear different sex ratio, different involvement and different clinical manifestations among countries. At the same time, ethnic distribution of this morbid condition has focused on the role of genetic factors and the mechanisms inducing vasculitis. In this paper, five doctors who contributed in history to the elucidation of Takayasu arteritis were introduced as an aid in understanding recent studies on this morbid condition.