title: Immunoblotting of streptococcal antigens in guttate psoriasis.
abstract: Guttate psoriasis may be precipitated by acute streptococcal infection, usually of the upper respiratory tract. We have studied the immune response to streptococci in 26 patients presenting with a first or recurrent episode of acute guttate psoriasis (AGP), using immunoblotting. Eighteen of 26 patients studied had a demonstrable response to a wide range of streptococcal antigens using this approach, compared with 14 of 26 patients who demonstrated a response using more conventional antistreptococcal antibody tests. Patients with AGP had a significantly higher antibody detection score using immunoblotting than did control subjects (P < 0.005). We conclude that immunoblotting is a useful technique in studying this condition and may be of benefit in exploring the immunopathogenesis of AGP.
authors.affiliation: Skin Department, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kirby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial