The previous paper demonstrated that tonsillar cells cultured in vitro
in the presence or absence of a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, pr
oduce factors that activate various neutrophil functions. In the prese
nt study, examination was made of the factor productivity of tonsillar
cells from patients with chronic tonsillitis of varying severity, and
palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Tonsillar cells from patients with sev
ere tonsillitis and PPP incubated with culture medium alone produced a
much greater amount of active factors compared with those from patien
ts with mild tonsillitis. When tonsillar cells were incubated in the p
resence of OK-432, augmentation in factor production by the addition o
f OK-432 was less in former than latter cases, suggesting that factor
production from tonsils correlates With the course of inflammation in
this organ.