Antichlamydial antibodies in chronic palmoplantar pustulosis

Serum antichlamydial antibodies were determined with an immunofluorescence method in 40 patients affected by palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Antibody titre greater than or equal to 16 was found in 53% of the cases, the titre being greater than or equal to 64 in 38% of the patients. By comparison, a titre of greater than or equal to 64 was found in 13% out of 55 psoriatics, in 12% out of 41 eczema and urticaria patients, and in 3% out of 37 healthy controls. The difference between the results from the PPP patients and that of the healthy controls was statistically significant (p < 0.01). In only 8 of the 40 PPP patients was any additional evidence found of a previous venereal infection. The possibility that PPP may represent an abnormal reaction to infectious agents, e.g. Chlamydia, is discussed.