ABSTRACT
Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) were found on histologic examination of prepinpoint papules which precede the pinpoint lesions provoked experimentally in the Köebner phenomenon induced by stripping. The activation of complement system was suggested as the mechanism which could be responsible for PMNL accumulation in psoriatic lesions. The cells were identified and counted in each portion of fluid recovered from peritoneal cavity after dialysis. The most cells suspended in peritoneal dialysates were found to be PMNL. The continuous peritoneal dialysis could eliminate from the circulation PMNL which contain elevated levels of proteinases. Neutral serine proteinases may play a role in the initiation of psoriatic lesion when released from PMNL migrating to the site of mechanical damage of epidermis. The accumulation of PMNL in peritoneal cavity of patients with psoriasis was not related to infection and chemotactic properties of bacterial toxins, i.e., dialysates were found to be sterile.
