[An aetiological study on pustulosis palmaris et plantaris due to tonsillar focal infection (author's transl)].

In clarification of 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 analysed. 42 patients with tonsillitis undergoing tonsillectomy were used as controls. Lowered serum complement (C3) titres and decrease in neutrophil counts and serum IgG levels were observed in those patients whose cutaneous lesions were either completely or greatly improved following tonsillectomy. As neither the IgE levels in the tonsils nor in the serum were altered after tonsillectomy, the possibility of IgE mediated allergic type I reaction, as previously proposed by the present authors, was ruled out, and the aetiology was assessed to be an infectious allergy based on the Arthus reaction classified in the type III reaction.