Total plasma kininogen in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Total plasma kininogen was measured in 75 normal individuals and in patients with extensive dermatoses. Elevated levels were found in 20 of 30 hospitalized patients with atopic dermatitis. Elevated levels were observed in 33 psoriasis patients. Nine atopic patients responded to intravenous calcium gluconate with elevated levels during three hours of observation in contrast to no response to control injections or in control individuals. Extensive chronic inflammatory skin disease correlates with elevated total plasma kininogen.