Allergic Skin Diseases Research Articles

MSR87 Understanding Feline Pruritis From the Pet Owners Perspective: Can Social Media Listening Identify and Describe a Pet Patients Pathway Through a Disease Process in Veterinary Medicine?

Social media are seldom explored in animal health despite the potential for insights into pet owners’ perceptions. Owners often seek information and advice online before seeking veterinary care. The aim was to investigate owners’ perceptions of feline allergic skin disease using Social Asset, a proof-of-concept social listening (SL) platform to create a dataset concerning information-seeking behaviours.

526 The involvement of gremlin 1 in particulate matter-induced melanogenesis

Particulate matter (PM) is known as a major concern for human health because it is closely associated with mortality and morbidity from respiratory and cardio- and neurovascular diseases. Recently, it has been reported that PM can aggravate allergic skin diseases by affecting the skin barrier or inducing inflammation. Along with our previous reports that PM promotes melanin production via ER-mediated IRE1α signaling pathway, we also performed high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing analysis using PM-delivered ex vivo human skin tissues to find out target molecules in different skin cell types, keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, etc.

The use of procalcitonin test in patients with allergic skin diseases

The article presents data on the level of procalcitonin in patients with allergic skin diseases. It was noted that the level of procalcitonin in these patients tends to increase in proportion to the age of the patients and the duration of the disease.

The Crosstalk between FcεRI and Sphingosine Signaling in Allergic Inflammation.

Sphingolipid molecules have recently attracted attention as signaling molecules in allergic inflammation diseases. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is synthesized by two isoforms of sphingosine kinases (SPHK 1 and SPHK2) and is known to be involved in various cellular processes. S1P levels reportedly increase in allergic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and anaphylaxis. FcεRI signaling is necessary for allergic inflammation as it can activate the SPHKs and increase the S1P level; once S1P is secreted, it can bind to the S1P receptors (S1PRs). The role of S1P signaling in various allergic diseases is discussed. Increased levels of S1P are positively associated with asthma and anaphylaxis. S1P can either induce or suppress allergic skin diseases in a context-dependent manner. The crosstalk between FcεRI and S1P/SPHK/S1PRs is discussed. The roles of the microRNAs that regulate the expression of the components of S1P signaling in allergic inflammatory diseases are also discussed. Various reports suggest the role of S1P in FcεRI-mediated mast cell (MC) activation. Thus, S1P/SPHK/S1PRs signaling can be the target for developing anti-allergy drugs.

Biologics and Small Molecule Inhibitors: an Update in Therapies for Allergic and Immunologic Skin Diseases.

Biologics and small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) are a rapidly growing class of highly efficacious therapies in the treatment of chronic immunologic and allergic conditions. With precision targeting of inflammatory signaling molecules, these new agents selectively modulate the immune system to treat a variety of conditions. Dermatologic diseases, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, are of particular interest due to the growing number of new biologics and SMIs in recent years. This review serves to summarize and evaluate the recent literature regarding biologics and SMIs. Currently approved biologics for AD achieve clear or almost clear skin in less than 40% of patients treated. Several biologics that are still under investigation for AD have shown better efficacy in phase III trials with similar safety profiles. Recently approved SMIs for AD also demonstrate a high degree of efficacy, but safety profiles may limit their use. Psoriasis has several highly efficacious biologics on the market; however, only one SMI is currently available. Additional SMIs for psoriasis have completed phase III trials and demonstrated high efficacy. This article evaluates recent literature on biologics and small molecule inhibitors for AD and psoriasis.

Staphylococci isolated from cats in Italy with superficial pyoderma and allergic dermatitis: Characterisation of isolates and their resistance to antimicrobials.

In cats, superficial pyoderma traditionally is considered rare and few reports are available. There is a particular lack of studies concerning Staphylococcus species associated with pyoderma in subjects affected by allergic skin diseases. (i) To evaluate the association between Staphylococcus spp. and superficial pyoderma in allergic cats and (ii) to characterise isolated staphylococci and analyse their antimicrobial resistance patterns. Forty-one cats with allergic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma in Italy. Skin swabs were cultured for the isolation of Staphylococcus spp. Species identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S-rRNA sequencing. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were further characterised by staphylococcal protein A gene-typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the disk diffusion method. Staphylococci were isolated from 36/41 cats sampled and 39 different isolates were identified. Uneven distribution of staphylococcal species was observed among different body locations. The 39 isolates were S.aureus (n=15), S. felis (n=10), S. pseudintermedius (n=8) and other staphylococci (n=6). Eight different S.aureus spa-types associated with human clonal complexes were identified. Antimicrobial resistance was observed to penicillin (56.4%), tetracycline (46.2%), enrofloxacin (33.3%), erythromycin (28.2%), amikacin (25.6%), clindamycin (23.1%), marbofloxacin (15.4%), gentamicin (12.8%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (10.3%), chloramphenicol (7.7%) and cefoxitin/oxacillin (5.1%). Fifteen isolates (38.4%) were multidrug-resistant while meticillin resistance was associated only with S.pseudintermedius. These results confirm that S.aureus, S.pseudintermedius, and S.felis are frequently associated with superficial pyoderma in allergic cats. Semi-synthetic penicillins remain a suitable first-line treatment in this study, yet the high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant isolates suggests that antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed routinely.

Impact of a Decade of Research Into Atopic Dermatitis

The last decade has seen an unprecedented pace of change, particularly of clinical research in atopic dermatitis (AD). This review summarizes some key discoveries. Over the last 10 years, nearly half of all studies investigated the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutic agents, particularly biologics and small molecules. Clear demonstration of benefit in clinical trials with no significant safety concerns provided strong evidence leading to subsequent Food and Drug Administration approval and routine use of the anti-IL-4 receptor alpha antagonist dupilumab in patients 6 months and older, the selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors upadacitinib for patients 12 years and older and abrocitinib, the IL-13 antagonist tralokinumab, and the JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib for adults 18 years and older. Several other drugs are in the pipeline. Other areas under the spotlight have been trials of skin moisturizers and probiotics in the prevention of AD, investigating the role of filaggrin and skin barrier function and the role of skin and gut microbiome, with Staphylococcus aureus second immunoglobulin-binding protein having been found to uniquely trigger allergic skin responses in AD. Skin microbiome, epidermal metabolites/structural components, and local inflammatory biomarkers are now commonly assessed using genomic and proteomic analysis of tape strips rather than more invasive biopsy to identify factors such as C-C motif chemokine ligand-17 that correlate with disease severity and response to therapy. Overall, the last decade has ushered in a new and exciting era in our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of this common allergic skin disease.

ROLE OF KSHARAGAD IN DUSHIVISHA JANYA VIKAR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ALLERGIC SKIN DISEASES

Context: Dushivisha shows various toxic symptoms and disorders in different body systems, including the skin. Skin problems caused by Dushivisha, described in Samhitas, are Kustha, Visarpa, Bhinna Varna, Shonitdusti, Shitapitta, Udarda, and Kotha. Udarda-Sheetapitta-Kotha has almost similar symptoms and causative factors as an allergic skin disease (Urticaria) characterized by erythematous and pruritic rashes and a burning sensation on the skin. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Ksharagad clinically as a trial group and Dushivishari agad as a standard group in managing Dushivisha twak janya vikar with special reference to Allergic skin Diseases and to compare the effects of both therapies clinically. Setting and design: Randomized selection of 60 patients was made according to the inclusion criteria. Material and Methods: For this study, only those signs and symptoms affecting the skin, like burning sensation, redness, and itching, were taken for analysis as they were the main symptoms of allergic skin diseases. Along with the patients who had a history of intake of Dushivisha and Virudhahar. For this purpose, patients were selected from OPD/IPD of Shri Khudadad Dungaji, Government Ayurvedic College Hospital, Raipur, C.G. Statistical analysis: Statistically analysis was done based on paired t-test. Results: According to collected data, it was concluded that the treatment effect of Ksharagad was better in the case of mandal, kandu, raga and daha, while in toda and lakshanik barambarta Dushivishari agad was better.

Portulaca oleracea L. extracts alleviate 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic allergic skin disease characterized clinically by severe skin lesions and pruritus. Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) is a resourceful plant with homologous properties in medicine and food. In this study, we used two different methods to extract PO, and compared the therapeutic effects of PO aqueous extract (POAE) and PO ultrasound-assisted ethanol extract (POEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mice. The results showed that in POAE and POEE, the extraction rates of polysaccharides were 16.95% and 9.85%, while the extraction rates of total flavonoids were 3.15% and 3.25%, respectively. Compared with AD mice, clinical symptoms such as erythema, edema, dryness and ulceration in the back and left ear were alleviated, and pruritus behavior was reduced after POAE and POEE treatments. The thickness of the skin epidermis was thinned, the density of skin nerve fibers labeled with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) was decreased, and mast cell infiltration was reduced. There was a decrease in blood lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils, a significant decrease in spleen index and a noticeable decrease in serum immunoglobulin E (Ig E). POEE significantly reduced the concentration of the skin pruritic factor interleukin (Il)-31. POAE and POEE reduced the concentration of skin histamine (His), down-regulated mRNA expression levels of interferon-γ (Ifnγ), tumor necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (Tslp) and Il-4, with an increase of Filaggrin (Flg) and Loricrin (Lor) in skin lesions. These results suggested that POAE and POEE may inhibit atopic response and alleviate the clinical symptoms of AD by inhibiting the expression of immune cells, inflammatory mediators and cytokines. PO may be a potential effective drug for AD-like diseases.

Co-carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis among preschool children and its influencing factors.

To investigate the carriage status of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) and Moraxella catarrhalis (M. catarrhalis) in preschool children and the influencing factors for the carriage status. The stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 2 031 healthy children from seven kindergartens in Shunde District of Foshan in Guangdong, China. Nasal swabs were collected from all children for the isolation and identification of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis. The carriage status of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis was analyzed in terms of its association with demographic features and hospital- and community-related factors. The carriage rates of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis were 21.81% and 52.44%, respectively among the children. The co-carriage rate of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis was 14.87%. The correspondence analysis showed that the factors such as lower grade, non-local registered residence, living in rural areas, small living area, history of respiratory tract infection but no history of antibiotic use, allergic skin diseases, and no hospital-related exposure history were significantly associated with the co-carriage of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis among the children (P<0.05). Co-carriage of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis can be observed in preschool children. Young age, poor living environment, a history of respiratory tract infection but no history of antibiotic use, allergic skin diseases, and no hospital-related exposure history are important risk factors for the co-carriage of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis in preschool children.

Clinical features and tactics of therapy of comorbid dermatoses

Case of possible comorbidity in dermatological practice is presented in the article. Skin infections are known to be common in patients with chronic eczema and may be bacterial, fungal or viral in nature. The surface layer of the epidermis is damaged with eczema. This moment is usually hereditary and leads to a violation of the protective and barrier functions of the skin. There are violations of the lipid mantle of the skin, transepidermal loss of water, a shift in the pH of the skin to the alkaline side. These changes increase the probability of developing not only a skin infection, but also increased sensitization to an infectious agent. In clinical practice, infectious dermatitis is rarely combined with other allergic skin diseases, more often developing against the background of metabolic and vascular disorders, however, such clinical combinations are possible. The article describes a case of chronic eczema and infectious dermatitis. This comorbid pathology is of particular practical interest to clinicians, as it requires a more detailed approach to diagnostics and treatment. Along with systemic therapy in external treatment, combined topical glucocorticosteroids are the drugs of choice.

Influences of Bifid Triple Viable Capsules Plus Cetirizine on Gut Microbiota and Immune Function in Children with Eczema.

ObjectiveInfantile eczema (IE), a common pediatric allergic skin disease caused by multiple inherent and external factors, is common in infants and young children, with skin lesions and itching as the main clinical manifestations. At present, its pathological mechanism has not been thoroughly clarified, but scholars believe that it is related to the joint action of various internal and external factors. This research aims to investigate the influences of bifid triple viable capsules plus cetirizine (CTZ) on gut microbiota (GMB) and immunity in children with eczema.MethodsThe complete clinical data of 162 cases of IE presented between July 2019 and July 2020 to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Children treated by CTZ alone were assigned to the control group (n = 81) and those by CTZ plus bifid triple viable capsules were included in the observation group (n = 81). Therapeutic efficacy, adverse reactions (ARs), disease recurrence, as well as changes in GMB, inflammatory factors (IFs) and immunoglobulins (Igs) were observed.ResultsThe observation group was observed with a higher overall response rate and increased fecal Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bifidobacterium counts after treatment versus the control group. After treatment, reduced IgG and IgM, as well as IFs, were found in both groups, with lower levels in the observation group. A lower incidence of ARs was determined in the observation group.ConclusionWith high efficacy for the treatment of IE, bifid triple viable capsules plus CTZ can validly regulate the GMB of children, improve their immune function and clinical symptoms, and reduce the disease recurrence rate, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Efficacy of Antimicrobial Treatment in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis: An Observational Study.

Simple SummaryAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a very common allergic skin disease of dogs that is usually accompanied by skin infections, bacterial, fungal, or both. Although treatment of bacterial and fungal infections in dogs with AD has been recommended and is widely practiced, there are only a few studies evaluating its efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the severity of skin lesions and pruritus after the administration of systemic antimicrobials that resulted in the resolution of the infections. In total, 39 dogs were used, and treatment was prescribed according to the laboratory findings. For the evaluation of the skin lesions and pruritus, validated scales were used, and the scores before and after the treatment were compared. The severity of skin lesions and pruritus decreased significantly, by 30% and 35%, respectively. The efficacy of antimicrobial treatment was assessed as good to excellent by the clinician and the owner in 55% and 60% of the dogs, respectively. There was high variability in the response to treatment among dogs and further studies are needed to find factors that can predict the response to antimicrobial treatment in dogs with AD and skin infections.There is a shortage of studies reporting the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) and skin infections (SIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the severity of skin lesions and pruritus, and the overall efficacy of antimicrobial treatment, in dogs with AD and bacterial overgrowth/infection and/or Malassezia dermatitis. A total of 20 dogs with AD and SIs were prospectively enrolled (group A) and they were examined before and after the administration of systemic antimicrobials that resulted in the resolution of SIs. In addition, 19 dogs fulfilling the same inclusion criteria and treated with systemic, with or without topical antimicrobials, were included retrospectively (group B). Since there were no major differences between the groups, their results were combined. The severity of skin lesions decreased significantly, by 30% based on Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index-4 (CADESI-4), by 28.1% based on the erythema domain of CADESI-4 and based on owner’s global assessment of the severity of skin lesions. Pruritus decreased significantly, by 34.7% based on the Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale (PVAS). The efficacy of antimicrobial treatment was assessed as good to excellent by the investigator and the owner in 55% and 60% of the dogs, respectively. Despite the significant improvement, there was high variability in the response to treatment among dogs. Further studies are needed to find factors that determine the response to antimicrobial treatment in dogs with AD and SIs.

DISEASE COPING ISSUES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ALLERGIC SKIN DISEASES

Objective: to analyze the way of a disease coping by adult patients with chronic allergic skin disease at new relapse start.&#x0D; Materials and methods. 123 patients with Atopic dermatitis (AD) divided in two groups depending on age of the disease onset, 62 patients with Chronic true eczema (CTE) and 74 patients with Chronic infectious eczema (CIE) were examined. At first examination for current relapse of the disease precise medical history of the patients and clinical symptoms were registered, the disease severity evaluated with SCORAD index and itch severity scale. Disease coping issues and potential ability to cooperate with medical staff were investigated with “TOBOL” testing tool. Results were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric statistical tools.&#x0D; Results. Disease coping types were different in examined research groups at the disease relapse start. Pure coping type that includes only one coping subtype was observed in part of each research group. Frequency of pure and combined disease copings was similar in CIE patient and AD patients with early age disease start.&#x0D; Adaptive disease coping type is the most desirable for effective cooperation between a patient and medical staff. Adaptive coping subtypes were registered for all research patients as an example of pure adaptive type or in combinations with maladaptive ones. Harmonic and ergopathic (realistic) disease coping were observed in all research patients’ groups. The highest frequency of harmonic was observed for CIE patients and lowest for AD patients with start in adulty. The highest frequency of ergopathic coping was in AD patients with start in adulty. Anosognostic (euphoric) was registered in eczema patients only.&#x0D; Maladaptive coping types are usually associated with impaired cooperation between a patient and medical staff due to changes in emotional-effective sphere. Depression, anxiety, “escape to disease’, refusal to fight with a disease are frequent issues. Different subtypes of maladaptive coping vary in the way they impact patient’s compliance. Anxious disease coping was more common for AD patients with start in adulty, neurasthenic one for CTE patient, melancholic one was observed for all research groups with similar frequency, hypochondriacal coping was less common for CIE patients, apathetic one was not common for adult type AD and CIE patients.&#x0D; Conclusions. Disease coping by a patient may significantly impair patient’s compliance, objectiveness of a medical staff, effectiveness of examination and treatment. Chronic course of skin disease, age of the disease onset may influence the way of this coping. Due to that it should be taken in account while examination and treatment to provide better patient’s compliance and disease management results. Pure type of disease coping is not the commonest situation at chronic allergic skin diseases and was observed in less than 40% of research groups. Adaptive disease coping by a patient is a good situation for medical staff and hopefully was registered often in researched groups. Realistic coping as the best prognosis for patient’s compliance we dominantly observe in CIE and CTE patients with the lowest rate in AD patients with start at adulty. Maladaptive coping was often observed not as a pure type but in combination with at least one adaptive subtype.

Exploring the Differences in the Gut Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis According to the Presence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

(1) Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial chronic allergic skin disease. Gastrointestinal (GI) functions have been suggested to be associated with its incidence or severity. As modulators of the gut–skin axis, gut microbes might affect the pathophysiology of AD. (2) Methods: We divided a cohort of patients with AD according to their GI symptoms as follows: AD with epigastric fullness (ADwEF), AD with epigastric rigidity (ADwER), and AD without GI symptoms (ADw/oGI). The gut microbial profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. (3) Results: The microbiota of the ADwER group showed low diversity indices in richness and evenness and formed a separate cluster to the other groups. In the ADwER group, the proportion of Bacteroides increased, while that of Prevotella decreased; functional pathways related to phosphotransferase systems were not abundant relative to those in the ADw/oGI group. Taken together, patients with AD with GI symptoms have a different microbiome from patients with simple AD. (4) Conclusions: In an exploratory study aimed at evaluating the relationship between AD and GI symptoms, the gut microbiome in patients with AD with GI symptoms differed from that in patients with simple AD, and this result could serve as a basis for further gut–skin axis studies.

Quality of Life for Children with Allergic Skin Diseases

Allergic skin diseases are highly prevalent among children. Patients with allergic skin diseases experience sociopsychological and quality-of-life (QoL) burdens in excess of those in the general population. Children and their caregivers are especially vulnerable to the burden of many of the common allergic skin diseases. In the past few decades, researchers have developed a number of disease-specific scores and indices for the measurement of QoL for childhood skin diseases. Most of the research in this area has focused on atopic eczema and urticaria and less so on allergic contact dermatitis. We provide an overview of QoL and its assessment for these dermatologic conditions.

Features of emergency remote dermatological care in wartime

On February 24, 2022, the sudden aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine began. The usual way of life has changed. Due to the real risks to life, the traditional majority of medical services and outpatient consultations have become impossible. The question arose as to how to provide dermatological care to patients in this situation. At this time, especially useful was the use of the Internet, namely Facebook and Telegram.&#x0D; Materials and methods. We created several posts on Facebook where announced free online medical consultation during the war. Moreover, a Telegram channel was created. Any doctor could register there at will, and with the help of a bot they received requests from patients in their specialty. &#x0D; Results and discussion. For the first 10 days of war, we received around 200 requests from patients with dermatological problems. Most (95 %) of these patients had allergic reaction or herpes, others had an exacerbation of psoriasis or pityriasis rosea.A comparative analysis of patients’ appeals showed a sharp increase in allergic skin diseases caused by the herpes virus. Moreover, such allergic reactions have been observed in people who have not previously had similar skin problems. In two cases of herpes simplex, the rash spread to the entire skin of the face, which could have been caused by sudden and significant stress due to information about bombings and rocket attacks. Only one patient who has approached us since the beginning of the war had hemorrhagic vasculitis due to severe comorbidity and not directly due to stress. Unfortunately, in the future we will probably only see a worsening of this situation. The consequences of prolonged stress due to forced stay in the war zone will have a negative impact on the health of our patients for a long time to come.&#x0D; Conclusions. The transition to remote medical counseling for dermatological patients, forced by wartime circumstances, proved to be quite successful in terms of its clinical results, although it significantly reduced the number of such appeals. At the same time, it allowed more extensive use of free remote assistance from foreign clinicians. Both in the initial unmotivated appearance of various skin rashes and in the exacerbation of chronic dermatoses, the objective stressful situation of the sudden Russian military aggression was dominant.

Efficacy of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in atopic dogs: A retrospective study of 664 cases.

BackgroundCanine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is an allergic skin disease affecting approximately 10% of dogs. allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is currently the only treatment option able to induce tolerance to the causative allergens.ObjectiveTo retrospectively establish the efficacy of ASIT in atopic dogs.AnimalsClient‐owned (n = 664) dogs with cAD presented between 2008 and 2018 to two dermatology referral clinics.Materials and MethodsClinical records of atopic dogs were reviewed to obtain information including the results of the intradermal skin test and/or allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E serological results, the allergens included in the ASIT, concurrent symptomatic medications, and ASIT efficacy after at least 9 months.ResultsExcellent (ASIT alone controlled clinical signs), good (≥50% reduction of clinical signs) and poor (<50% improvement) responses were seen in 31.5%, 28.5% and 40.1% of the dogs, respectively. No significant differences in efficacy were associated with breed, sex, age at initiation of ASIT, type of allergens in ASIT, and between clinics. Dogs re‐examined regularly responded significantly better to ASIT than dogs that did not (>50% improvement in 69.3% and 55.4% of the dogs, respectively). Dogs treated with ASIT and concomitant systemic glucocorticoids showed a significantly poorer response (success rate of >50% improvement of 38.5%).Conclusions and clinical importanceIn 59.9% of atopic dogs, subcutaneous ASIT can improve clinical signs by ≥50%. The beneficial effect of ASIT is higher if dogs are re‐examined regularly and if systemic long‐term corticosteroids are avoided, at least during the first 9 months of ASIT.

Prospects for studying the role of S100 proteins in allergic and inflammatory skin diseases

The article is devoted to the review of recent discoveries in the field of the role of S100A8/A9 proteins in the pathogenesis of various diseases. It has been shown that proteins of this group play a significant role in many diseases in cardiology, oncology, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc. of various organs and systems, as a result of which they should be used as markers for determining the severity of diseases and prognosis. Therefore, the study of the expression of these proteins in allergic and inflammatory skin diseases is a promising scientific direction.

Bifidobacterium infantis strain YLGB-1496 possesses excellent antioxidant and skin barrier-enhancing efficacy in vitro.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurring allergic skin disease that has a high incidence. Orally applied Bifidobacteria ameliorate signs of irritated skin and enhance the skin barrier. The present study investigated the safety and efficacy of a topically used cell-free culture supernatant (CFS) from a Bifidobacterium infantis strain using in vitro evaluation methods. The results showed that CFS had strong free radical scavenging activity on DPPH, ABTS, ·OH and O2 -radicals. CFS treatment fundamentally reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH-Px) in H2 O2 -treated HaCaT cells. Notably, the upregulation of skin physical barrier gene (FLG, LOR, IVL, AQP3 and TGM1) expression and skin antimicrobial peptide gene (CAMP, hBD-2 and hBD-3) expression by CFS might contribute to skin barrier resistance. CFS was non-irritating to the skin and eyes. CFS from the Bifidobacterium infantis strain had strong antioxidant properties on the skin and strengthened skin barrier function, and it was safe for topical use.