Phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in generalized pustular psoriasis

The phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 10 patients suffering from generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) has been studied. In all patients intracellular iodination capacity was measured, and 6 were studied regarding hexose monophosphate shunt activity (HMS) and bactericidal capacity. In 2 patients leukocytes from pustules were tested by the iodination reaction. Sera from 7 patients were incubated with normal leukocytes in a bactericidal test to evaluate the opsonizing capacity, which was found to be normal. Leukocytes from patients with GPP after 120 min of incubation with bacteria exhibited significantly impaired lethality compared with the controls, but no significant difference was found after 60 min. Iodination capacity and HMS activity were normal in all patients except in one, who was found to be deficient in myeloperoxidase. The possible significance of the impaired lethability of bacteria in the pathogenesis of GPP is discussed.