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Allergic conjunctivitis, allergy, atopic dermatitis, birth cohort study, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, meconium-stained amniotic fluid Keywords: allergic conjunctivitis; allergic rhinitis; allergy; atopic dermatitis; birth cohort study; food allergy; meconium-stained amniotic fluid EN allergic conjunctivitis allergic rhinitis allergy atopic dermatitis birth cohort study food allergy meconium-stained amniotic fluid 1 5 5 05/30/23 20230501 NES 230501 PEER REVIEW The peer review history for this article is available at https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway/wos/peer-review/10.1111/pai.13956. Data on MSAF at childbirth were retrieved from medical record transcripts, by answering yes or no to the question "Was there MSAF?". [Extracted from the article]

Background: Little is known about the association between maternal use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) during pregnancy and the onset of allergy among offspring. This study aimed to determine whether maternal HTP smoking is associated with allergy in their offspring and to evaluate the potential dose–response association. Methods: In this web‐based, cross‐sectional survey conducted in July and August 2021 in Japan, we investigated 5688 pairs of postpartum women and infants (<3 years). Clinical diagnoses of infant asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or atopic dermatitis were reported. Using multilevel Poisson regression, we estimated the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of allergy in infants with HTP smoking categories cross‐classified by pregnancy periods, and adjusted for potential covariates including maternal cigarette smoking and partner's smoking status. Non‐smokers served as the reference group. Results: In total, 2.4% women smoked HTPs during pregnancy. Allergy occurred in 7.8% of the infants. The prevalence of allergy increased among the offspring of current HTP smokers during pregnancy at 15.2% (PR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.28–3.05); this association was the most pronounced during the first trimester but attenuated before pregnancy and postpartum. Dose–response associations were observed, for example a one‐unit increase in daily maternal HTP use during pregnancy was associated with a 5% increase in allergy onset. Sub‐group analyses excluding cigarette smokers during pregnancy and sensitivity analyses using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire showed a similar pattern. Conclusions: Maternal HTP smoking during pregnancy is associated with allergy in the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic march is defined as the progression from atopic dermatitis (AD) during early life to other allergic diseases in later childhood. In a nationwide birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study, we investigated the association of bathing habits, which are known to affect skin conditions, for infants with their later development of allergic diseases. Methods: Pregnant women who lived in 15 designated regional centers throughout Japan were recruited. We obtained information on bathing habits for their 18‐month‐old infants and the prevalence of allergic diseases when they were aged 3 years. Results: Data for 74,349 children were analyzed. Most 18‐month‐old infants were bathed or showered almost every day. When they were divided into four groups according to the frequency of soap use during bathing (every time, most of the time, sometimes, and seldom), the risk of AD later at age 3 was shown to increase in association with a decreasing frequency of soap use [most of the time: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.34; sometimes: aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.46–2.03; seldom: aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.58–2.50], compared with soap use every time during bathing at 18 months of age. Similar results were obtained for food allergy but not for bronchial asthma. Conclusions: Frequent soap use when bathing 18‐month‐old infants was associated with a decreased risk of them developing allergic diseases at age 3. Further well‐designed clinical studies are warranted to determine an effective bathing regimen for preventing the development of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sialodochitis fibrinosa and allergic parotitis have described rare patients with recurrent salivary gland swelling and mucus plugs, often with atopy. We have evaluated three patients with atopic disease, recurrent salivary gland swelling, and an eosinophilic sialodochitis. Two had eosinophil-rich mucus plugs. Fifty-six additional cases were identified in a medical literature database search, each defined by recurrent salivary gland swelling associated with eosinophil-rich mucus plugs or sialodochitis with periductal eosinophilic infiltration. The majority (78%) were reported from Japan. Females were predominantly affected (F:M = 2.3) with a median age of 47 years at evaluation. The parotid and submandibular glands were involved, respectively, in 71% and 46%. Allergic symptoms were present in 66%, atopic disease in 63% of those with reported allergy testing, and blood eosinophilia in 71%. Contrast sialography and other imaging modalities documented ductal dilatation in 82%. Treatments included anti-allergic medications (58%), systemic glucocorticoids (25%), duct cannulation with irrigation, steroid injection, and/or duct dilatation (36%), and glandular resection (19%). We recommend the diagnosis 'eosinophilic sialodochitis' be applied to patients who meet this case definition. The disease is a unique cause of chronic recurrent salivary gland swelling. Its likely allergic etiology may be amenable to current or future biologic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: A negative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases has not been consistent. The aim of this study was to examine the association between allergic diseases and H. pylori infection in Japan. Methods: Newly enrolled university students completed health survey questionnaires regarding general health and the presence of allergic diseases. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by the presence of serum H. pylori IgG and the presence of allergic manifestations was confirmed by interview. Results: A total of 1953 students had a routine health survey; H. pylori status was determined in 777 including 369 with allergic diseases and 408 controls. The reported frequency of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, bronchial asthma and mixed diseases was 29.0%, 11.1%, 2.0%, 0.9% and 5.0%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed less frequently in the allergic group compared with controls (11.4% vs 17.6%, P = 0.015). Helicobacter pylori infection was less frequent in men with allergic diseases (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27–0.89). Conclusion: Allergic diseases are frequent in young Japanese adults and are negatively associated with H. pylori infection especially in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD), a significant problem in Japan, has a major impact on health-related quality of life (QOL). The development of steroid phobia in patients with AD may restrict the therapeutic options available to these patients. Tacrolimus ointment is a safe and effective nonsteroid treatment for AD. It may be an appropriate alternative for patients with AD and steroid phobia. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of AD on QOL and to investigate the effect of tacrolimus ointment on QOL in patients with steroid phobia. Methods Firstly, QOL scores were investigated in patients with AD and steroid phobia using the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument, WHOQOL-26, and were compared with QOL scores from a previous study in volunteers from Tokyo, Japan. Secondly, patients with steroid phobia received tacrolimus ointment treatment for 12 weeks. Quality of life scores were assessed using WHOQOL-26 at baseline and study end. Results The overall mean QOL score of 106 patients with AD was significantly lower than that of 708 volunteers (3.1 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.5, P < 0.001). The overall QOL score improved from 2.9 ± 0.4 at baseline to 3.3 ± 0.4 following 12 weeks’ tacrolimus ointment treatment in 35 patients with AD and steroid phobia ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Atopic dermatitis significantly lowers QOL. Tacrolimus ointment is associated with a significant improvement in QOL in patients with steroid phobia, indicating that it is an effective alternative to topical corticosteroids in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between current pet ownership, passive smoking, and allergic diseases among the Japanese children. From 1995 to 2001, we distributed the Japanese edition of the questionnaire of the American Thoracic Society and the Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) to survey allergic diseases among 35,552 6-yr-old children at primary school in the city of Himeji, Japan. We analyzed the data by multiple logistic regression and calculated adjusted odds ratios for environmental factors, including passive smoking and pet (dog and/or cat) ownership. There were no significant relationships between the prevalence of asthma and current pet ownership and passive smoking. However, current cat ownership was related to a significantly lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.93], allergic rhinitis (aOR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.57–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44–0.75). Strikingly, passive smoking was also related to a significantly lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.88). Current cat ownership was associated with a lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and Japanese cedar pollinosis. In addition, passive smoking was also associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and Japanese cedar pollinosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the first case report of Atopic myelitis reported outside Japan. Atopic myelitis is a syndrome which was thought to be a peculiarly Japanese phenomenon. A recent Japanese nationwide survey has identified 79 patient with the disease. This condition is characterized by the association between allergic and central nervous system diseases, although the pathogenetic mechanism is unknown. The disease affects a young to middleaged adult population with atopic diathesis.