title: Peripheral leukocytes in psoriasis.
abstract: The white blood cell (WBC) count and differential count, including the morphology and acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity of lymphocytes, in psoriatic patients of different types, stages, and extensiveness of skin lesions were analyzed. The number of total WBC and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was markedly increased in psoriasis erythrodermica and psoriasis pustulosa. Lymphocytopenia, especially T-lymphocytopenia, was noticed in all types of psoriasis. Antineoplastic drugs and immunosuppressants intensified the degree of T-lymphocytopenia. This might be the cause of recurrence and more recalcitrant course of the disease. Therefore, it is considered that these drugs should not be the first choice in the treatment of psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004950:Esterases