Nasal fluid ECP concentrations are increased in infants with lower respiratory infections including RSV infection accompanied with wheezing. ECP probably originates from neutrophils as well as eosinophils migrated into airways. The monitoring of ECP concentration in nasal fluid may be useful for evaluating leukocyte (including eosinophils and neutrophils)-mediated airway inflammation during infancy and its severity.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was newly discovered as a pathogen in 2001 and is thought to be associated with respiratory disease. To elucidate the prevalence and clinical significance of hMPV among children, we investigated the positive cases of hMPV-RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in their nasopharyngeal specimens collected from January to August 2003 in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Our prospective study revealed 77 hMPV-positive cases among 377 children with acute respiratory diseases. Clinical diagnoses of 77 hMPV-positive cases were as follows; bronchitis (33.8%), pneumonia (24.7%), acute respiratory illness (19.5%), asthmatic bronchitis (11.7%) and bronchiolitis (5.2%). The most common symptoms were cough (97.4%), high fever (94.8%) and rhinorrhea (76.6%). Most of the hMPV-positive cases were identified in the spring (between March and May), indicating the presence of an epidemic of hMPV infection in Hiroshima Prefecture. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified F gene of hMPV isolates revealed that hMPV strains were divided into two genotypes and that their simultaneous circulation occurred within the same epidemic area of Hiroshima Prefecture.

ObjectiveDespite the application of skin care treatments, many infants have skin problems such as dryness and erythema. We proposed a new combination skin care for infants which consisted of a foaming cleanser with lower surfactant activity and moisturizers that contained pseudo-ceramide.Subjects and methodsA total of 50 infants (age: 3–24 months) with insignificant levels of dry skin were enrolled in this usage trial. The parents washed the infants with the test cleanser while bathing and then applied the moisturizer (lotion or cream) containing pseudo-ceramide. Prior to and following the 4-week usage period, visual evaluation of the skin condition was conducted by a dermatologist, in addition to instrumental analysis.ResultsErythema and papule, accompanied by dryness, were commonly observed at week 0. However, by week 4, these symptoms significantly improved; the condition of none of the subjects deteriorated. The number of infants with lower cutaneous barrier function and higher skin pH decreased. The parents of the infants recognized improvements in the skin symptoms and were appreciative of the test materials.ConclusionThe combined usage of the foaming cleanser with lower surfactant activity and a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide may be effective in maintaining healthy infant skin and ameliorating the skin symptoms.

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