Effect of Probiotics on the Treatment of Children with Atopic Dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis, a chronic recurrent disease, is frequently encountered in clinical practice. In the last 30 years, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis has rapidly increased due to industrialization. Therefore, there have been attempts in recent years to find new ways of treating and preventing atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, a combination of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus salivarius strains were evaluated in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients. METHODS: Forty pediatric patients (23 males and 17 females) aged 1~13 years were enrolled. One eligible individual who was approached declined to participate. The probiotic group was administered a probiotic complex containing B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. salivarius for 8 weeks. The placebo group, on the other hand, was administered skim milk powder and dextrose. All of the parameters including serum cytokines, eosinophil cationic protein), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured in both the probiotic group and the placebo group at the end of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Probiotic intervention in pediatric atopic dermatitis patients effectively reduced the SCORAD index and serum cytokines interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and total serum IgE levels, but did not reduce levels of serum cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, ECP, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Our study found probiotics to be effective in reducing atopic dermatitis patients' SCORAD index, serum IL-5, IL-6, IFN-gamma, and total serum IgE levels but not effective in reducing serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, ECP, or TNF-alpha levels.

Dermatofibroma on upper extremity in childhood period

Dermatofibroma is a common benign mesenchymal tumor composed of fibroblastic and histiocytic cells. It is also known as cutaneous benign fibrous histiocytoma. Although it may occur in any age, it is mostly common at twenties and thirties. It is more common in women than men and it is most seen at lower extremity. Herein, we report a 6-month-old female infant, who had dermatofibroma on her upper extremity

Association of demodicosis with acne rosacea

Demodex spp of humans are encountered frequently all over the world. The role of these parasites is controversial in the causation of skin diseases. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the association of Demodex spp with acne rosacea. The study was conducted between the years of 2005-2008 in the output clinic of Dermatology and Parasitology Laboratory of Health Research and Training Hospital of Yuzuncu Yil University. One hundred two patients [patient group] composing of 59 females and 43 males with acne rosacea and randomly selected 50 healthy subjects [control group] were examined for Demodex spp. Twenty seven patients were under the age of 35, and 75 patients were aging 35 years old and over. Samples were plucked out from surface of nose and forehead of patients with acne rosacea and healthy subjects by standardized surface skin biopsy [SSSB] method in the Laboratory. The preparations prepared in Hoyer solution were examined under 4X and 10X objectives of light microscope. The detected parasites were higher in the patient group with acne rosacea [67.65%] than the control group [6%], in females [76.27%] than males [55.81%] and in patients aging 35 years old and over [74.67%] than the patients under 35 years of age [48.15%]. Significant relationships were detected between acne rosacea and demodicosis, sex and demodicosis, and age and demodicosis [p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively]. It was concluded that there is a relationship between the demodicosis and acne rosacea, and dermatologists should take into consideration the Demodex spp. in the etiology of acne rosacea