Tritiated thymidine labelling of epidermis in pustular psoriasis.

Abstract

To the Editor.— Recently, Braverman et al presented an interesting study of a patient suffering from pustular psoriasis in theArchives(105:189-196, 1972). In this article, the authors stated: Whether the increased mitotic activity found in the basal layer of the epidermis in psoriasis vulgaris is also present in the pustular forms of these diseases is unknown at present. We recently had the opportunity of investigating a 33-year-old woman suffering from generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch type). The eruption of pustules was widespread over the tegument and lesions presented histologically with the typical aspect of the disease. Besides similar general symptoms (fever, peripheric edema, and biological signs of inflammation), our observation is comparable to that of Braverman et al in the patient's response to therapy: failure of antibiotics, corticosteroids or corticotropin and complete clearing with methotrexate. In our patient, the rate of epidermal cell proliferation in the lesions was