An aetiological study on pustulosis palmaris et plantaris due to tonsillar focal infection
Noda, Y.; Koja, M.; Arakaki, Y.; Matayoshi, S.; Genka, T.; Noha, S.
Hno 28(12): 409-412
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-6192 PMID: 6450738 Document Number: 161097
To study the cause of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris caused by tonsillar infection, 19 patients with this condition and undergoing tonsillectomy were studied. IgE levels in the tonsils and blood serum were estimated both before and after tonsillectomy including various other laboratory tests. These results and the therapeutic effects of the tonsillectomy were analyzed. Patients [42] without pustulosis palmaris and plantaris, but with tonsillitis and undergoing tonsillectomy, were used as controls. Lowered serum complement component 3 (C3) titers and decreased neutrophil counts and serum IgG levels were observed in those patients whose cutaneous lesions were either completely or greatly improved following tonsillectomy. As the IgE levels in the tonsils and in the serum were not alt ered after tonsillectomy, the possibility of an IgE mediated allergic type I reaction, was ruled out. The etiology of this condition was assessed to be an infectious allergy based on the Arthus reaction and classified as a type III allergic reaction.