Neutrophil activating activity of tonsillar cells from patients with tonsillitis.

The previous paper demonstrated that tonsillar cells cultured in vitro in the presence or absence of a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, produce factors that activate various neutrophil functions. In the present study, examination was made of the factor productivity of tonsillar cells from patients with chronic tonsillitis of varying severity, and palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Tonsillar cells from patients with severe tonsillitis and PPP incubated with culture medium alone produced a much greater amount of active factors compared with those from patients with mild tonsillitis. When tonsillar cells were incubated in the presence of OK-432, augmentation in factor production by the addition of OK-432 was less in former than latter cases, suggesting that factor production from tonsils correlates with the course of inflammation in this organ.