Lack of antikeratin antibodies in patients with palmoplantar pustular eruptions and arthropathy.

Assessment of antikeratin antibodies (AKAs), using an indirect immunofluorescence technique with rat esophageal keratin as antigen, was performed in 14 patients with arthropathy and palmoplantar pustular eruptions, six of whom also had psoriasis vulgaris. Twelve patients had seronegative spondyloarthropathy. They were all AKA negative. Two patients had classical seropositive-erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and were both AKA positive. This suggests that AKA is not related to the arthropathy associated with pustulosis palmoplantaris or psoriasis, or to the presence of pustular eruptions on the palms and soles. The finding of AKA in RA is in keeping with previous findings.