PUSTULAR BACTERID (ANDREWS SYNDROME) - ARE THERE CLINICAL-CRITERIA DISTINGUISHING THIS CONDITION FROM PSORIASIS-PUSTULOSA-PALMARIS-ET-PLANTARIS

A case report on the rare entity of ''true'' Andrews bacterid and a re view of the literature are used to illustrate clinical and morphologic al criteria that allow discrimination between Andrews bacterid and pso riasis pustulosa palmaris et plantaris. The patient noted the eruption of sterile pustules on palms and soles for the first time in his life at the age of 73 during an attack of acute tonsillitis. He had no his tory of psoriasis and it was also unknown in the family history. In co ntrast to psoriasis pustulosa palmaris et plantaris, Andrews bacterid becomes manifest as isolated pustules with an erythematous rim, which do not destroy the ridged skin. On the rest of the integument dissemin ated pustules are seen but no psoriatic stigmata. Thus, apart from the criterion of coincidence with an infection and the short course, we c an also differentiate between Andrews bacterid and psoriasis pustulosa palmaris et plantaris on the basis of clinical criteria.