Investigation of the local provocation test to PPP and IgA nephritis

We examined 24 cases with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) and 13 cases with IgA nephritis. The provocation test was performed in 11 cases with PPP and 7 cases with IgA nephritis. According to Nosaka's criteria, as variables for assessing the provocation test, changes in WBC (white blood cell count), BT (temperature), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and skin eruption or urinary findings (hematuria and proteinuria) were estimated. Analysis of the provocation test proved positive in 3 of 11 cases (27%) with PPP and in 5 of 7 cases (71%) with IgA nephritis. Improvement of PPP was found in 12 of 14 cases (86%) with tonsillectomy and in 5 of 10 cases (50%) without tonsillectomy. However, there was no significant relation between prognosis and results of provocation tests. Improvement of IgA nephritis was found in 6 of 10 cases (60%) with tonsillectomy and none of 3 cases (0%)) without tonsillectomy. Furthermore, the cases with positive reaction by the provocation test showed better prognosis than those with negative reaction. Our results suggest that in patients with IgA nephritis, the efficacy of tonsillectomy is better in patients with a positive reaction to the provocation test than in those with a negative reaction. However, this phenomenon was not observed in the patients with PPP. Improvement of symptoms in the patients undergoing tonsillectomy was found in the early time period after surgery as compared with that in the patients with conservative treatment.