[Effects of administration of bifidobacteria on fecal microflora and clinical symptoms in infants with atopic dermatitis].

Fifteen children with atopic dermatitis who had Bifidobacterium-deficient microflora were selected for this study. Eight subjects in the bifidobacteria-administered group were given oral administration of lyophilized bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium breve M-16V strain). The changes in fecal microflora and clinical symptoms were compared with the control group. In the bifidobacteria-administered group, the proportion of Bifidobacterium in the fecal microflora was increased (P=0.0173) and the proportion of aerobic bacteria was decreased (P=0.0499) after 1 month of administration. Furthermore, significant improvement of allergic symptoms (P=0.0176 in cutaneous symptom score, P=0.0117 in total allergic score) was also observed in the bifidobacteria-administered group. The tendency of allergic symptom improvement in the bifidobacteria-administered group was remarkable compared with the control group; however there was no correlation between changes in fecal microflora and allergic symptoms.

[Raynaud-like phenomenon in infants with atopic dermatitis: correlation with serum endothelin-1 levels].

Infants with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) sometimes have cold and pale fingers and toes as observed in patients with Raynaud-like phenomenon (RP). We tried to clarify the physiological mechanism of secondary RP in patients with AD. The correlation between serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) or nitrate (NO3) levels and the severity of AD was examined in 37 patients. As a result, RP was observed in 5 boys younger than 6 months of age and with severe AD. These 5 infants had high serum ET-1 levels. However, serum NO3 levels were only mildly elevated. These results suggest that secondary RP in AD may occur with elevated ET-1 caused by stressed and/or damaged endothelium in infants with severe AD.