• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2016

Recently, antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria has been increasing due to excessive use of antimicrobial agents in both humans and livestock. PCR amplification and nucleotide sequence analyses were conducted to investigate16S ribosomal RNA methyltransferase (RMTase) genes and integrons in P. mirabilis strains isolated from clinical specimens and chickens in an area of the Chungcheong providence. In addition, clonality analysis of P. mirabilis strains was performed using a repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-based PCR (REP-PCR) method. Of the total 38 P. mirabilis isolates, 7 (18.4%) strains were isolated from clinical specimens contained in the RMTase genes and showed resistance to amikacin, tobramycin, and gentamicin. A total of 23 (60.5%) isolates carried class 1 integrons, but no isolates in our study harbored class 2 and class 3 integrons. Class 1 integrons detected in our study harbored genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides (aadA2, aadA5, aadA7, and aacCA5), ${\beta}$-lactams ($bla_{PSE}$), erythromycin (ereA), lincosamides (linF), and trimethoprim (dfrA12, dfrA17, and dfrA32). We confirmed that the RMTase genes had spread among only the P. mirabilis isolates from clinical specimens, but class 1 integrons had widely disseminated among P. mirabilis isolates from clinical specimens and chickens. In addition, identical REP-PCR banding patterns were evidenced in only P. mirabilis isolates from chickens. Our results suggest the horizontal spreading of P. mirabilis isolates in the chicken farm. To prevent further spreading of antimicrobial resistant genes among P. mirabilis isolates, monitoring and clinical policing will be required.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.331-336
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• 2018

In this study, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of 40 clinically isolated Candida albicans in tertiary hospitals in Daejeon, Korea, confirmed the nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic relationships of the strains collected from different specimen sources. The general variations found in seven different housekeeping genes of C. albicans, collected from urine and sputum, peripheral blood, central line blood, and other specimens, were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree was divided into 18 sub-clusters (1), a central line blood (2), others (5), sputum (1), peripheral blood (6), sputum (1), and urine (1), and the isolates at the same site were confirmed to have genetic similarity. Consequently, genetic similarity and the potential relevance were found in the strains collected from the same specimen sources. MLST analysis of C. albicans suggests that persistent data accumulation of phylogenetic gene variations of C. albicans may help establish infectious disease studies and epidemiological surveillance systems.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 1988

Reviewing the results of the blood cultures performed at Yeungnam University Hospital during 4-year-period through January. 1, 1984 to December 31, 1987, the following results were obtained. 1) Out of 808:3 blood specimens cultured microorganisms grew in 582 specimens with positivity rate of 7.20%. Polymicrobial bacteremia was found in 16 patients. 2) Among 582 positive specimens, Gram-positive cocci grew in 189 specimens, and Gram-negative bacilli, in 393 specimens. Clinically significant microorganisms consisted of 82 Staphylococcus aureus, and 20 Strptococcus species in Gram-positive cocci group, 80 Salmonella typhi, 72 Escherichia coli, 72 Salmonella paratyphi A in Enterobacteriaceae, and 46 Pseudomonas cepacia, and 16 Pseudomonas aeruginosa in glucose non-fermentating microorganisms. 3) Increasing incidence of Serratia, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species as major nosocomial infection source is noteworthy. They showed increased tendency from 6.3% of 1984 to 17.7% of 1987 of total positive blood cultures. 4) High isolation rate of Pseudomonas species and Aeromonas hydrophilia was noted in summer, while Salmonella typhi showed high prevalence from May to September and in January. 5) In susceptibility tests of isolated organisms, staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to basic antimicrobial agents except for ampicillin. The glucose non-fermentating microorganisms showed high resistance to basic antimicrobial agents in 32.2%. In conclusion, considering the relatively higher incidence of growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis than ideal level indicates that sampling technique should be improved. Secondly, all the hospital staffs in cooperation with Hospital Infection Committee are desirable to pay efforts to decrease the nosocomial infection.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Purpose : The ability to perform chromosome analysis of cryopreserved cord blood mononuclear cells is important for future retrospective studies. We compared the karyotypes of cryopreserved cells with cells before cryopreservation. Methods : One cord blood (CB) sample was obtained from normal healthy volunteer. Karyotype analysis was performed before cryopreservation. After mononuclear cell separation with Ficoll-Hypaque, the mononuclear cells were cryopreserved by programmed controlled-rate freezer and then transferred into the liquid nitrogen ($-196^{\circ}C$) for 3 days. After rapid thawing, cytogenetic analysis was performed as the same method for each sample by different conditions. The samples were divided by three groups. The first group was no culture before cryopreservation, the second group was 72 hours culture before cryopreservation, but no 24 hours culture after thawing and the third group was 72 hours culture before cryopreservation and 24 hours culture after thawing. Results : The chromosome analysis was successful in the second and third groups of CB sample. Conclusion : The successful result from CB samples may suggest the usefulness of long-term cryopreservation for retrospective study in various clinical settings including hematologic malignancies.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the viral etiology of acute respiratory illnesses and to determine epidemiology in outpatients in Busan, Korea. Methods : We collected nasal wash samples from 990 patients who visited the hospital for acute respiratory illnesses between January 2007 and December 2008. Extracted DNA or RNA from specimens was used for viral detection by an RT-PCR method. Results : Of a total of 990 samples, viruses were detected in 351 cases (35.5%). The ratio of male to female was 1.6:1 and 93.7% were less than 5 years old. Rhinovirus was detected year-round in 202 cases (57.5%), respiratory syncytial virus from October to March in 57 cases (16.2%), adenovirus year-round in 37 cases (10.5%), influenza virus from December to April in 21 cases (6%), bocavirus from January to August in 15 cases (4.3%), parainfluenza virus from April to July in 9 cases (2.6%), coronavirus from January to July in 7 cases (2%), and enterovirus from June to September in 3 cases (0.9%). Conclusion : We identified the etiology and epidemiology of viruses that caused the acute respiratory diseases that were prevalent in Busan, 2007-2008. Further surveillance will be necessary.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated an outbreak of mumps affecting students in a high school (S high school) in Seoul, with an evaluation of the diagnostic utility of the mumps polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Methods: S high school students that presented to health care providers with mumps symptoms between April 2013 and July 2013 were surveyed for the monthly distribution of symptom onset and their grade level. Mumps PCR assays were performed using buccal swabs from some of these students. Results: During the survey period, 77 students presented with suspected cases of mumps. The monthly distribution of symptom onset was as follows: one in April, 17 in May, 54 in June, and five in July. With regard to grade level, 26 students were in their first year, 28 were in their second year, and 23 were in their third year. Of the 18 students tested with PCR assays, five had positive results. Samples were collected within 3 days of symptom onset in 15 of the 18 students, and positive PCR results were obtained in five of these 15 students. The PCR results of the remaining three students from whom samples were collected more than 3 days after the onset of symptoms were negative (P=0.24). Conclusions: We evaluated the epidemiological aspects of an outbreak of mumps in a high school. Mumps PCR might be epidemiologically useful if performed within 3 days of the onset of symptoms in suspected cases.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.90-101
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• 2020

Purpose: The multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test developed recently can help detect enteric pathogens of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of pathogens in children with AGE using the multiplex RT-PCR. Methods: From May 2015 to June 2018, multiplex RT-PCR tests were performed to identify pathogens in the feces of pediatric patients diagnosed with AGE at a secondary hospital in Seoul, Korea. Results: Of the 1,366 stool samples examined for viral pathogens, 483 (35.3%) tested positive for ≥1 pathogen. Group A rotavirus (RV) was detected in 106 cases (7.8%). The positivity rate increased annually from 3.0% (8/263) to 16.7% (48/288) and surged in 2018 (P<0.001). Norovirus (NoV) GII was the most common viral pathogen (263/1,366, 19.3%), and the positivity rate did not increase during the 3 years. Of the 304 stool samples tested for bacterial pathogens, Campylobacter spp. was the most common bacterial pathogen (32/304, 10.5%), followed by Clostridium difficile (22/304, 7.2%) and Salmonella spp. (17/304, 5.6%). The positivity rate of these bacterial pathogens did not change significantly during the study period. Conclusions: NoV GII is the main pathogen in childhood AGE since the introduction of RV vaccine, yet the number of rotavirus-infected patients increased during our study, especially in 2018. Therefore, further research is needed including the possibility of emergence of novel RV strains. Campylobacter spp. is the predominant cause of bacterial AGE in children. For proper treatment, the clinical characteristics of the bacteria should be taken into consideration, and continuous monitoring is necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.600-604
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• 2012

Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children of the world. However, the frequency of genetic alterations makes it hard to control the prophylaxis. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the rotavirus's genetic change is inevitable to prevent disease prevalence and is useful in inventing an efficient vaccine. From January 2005 to December 2010, we investigated 11,607 stool samples of acute gastroenteritis patients in the Incheon metropolitan area. About 13.18% (1,530 stool samples) of all samples had a positive reaction against rotavirus using an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then, the 160 stool samples were searched for subtypes of group A rotavirus by using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a nested multiplex RCR. In P sub-typing, P8 (56.3%) was an extremely prevalent genotype, followed by P6 (21.3%), and P1A (10.0%). G1 (39.4%) was most widespread in the G subtype, followed by G4 (25.0%) and G3 (18.8%). G1P8 (35.5%) was the most common G and P subtype combination, followed by G4P6 (19.3%) and G3P8 (13.1%). These results might be useful data for understanding the epidemiological status of group A-rotavirus dispersion in the Incheon metropolitan area.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 1996

대략 36,000 base pairs (bp)의 두 가닥짜리 DNA를 지놈으로 가진 사람 아데노바이러스 (Ad)는 DNA 상동성(相同性) 및 생물학적/생화학적 성격이 특이한 49개의 혈청형이 알려져 있는데, 이들 대부분의 Ad가 영유아군 및 면역능이 저하된 성인에서 치사적 결과를 초래할 수 있다. Ad의 세포향성(向性)(tropism)은 매우 다양하여 종류에 따라 상기도 감염, 각결막염, 영유아 장염등을 유발하는데 최근 Ad의 다양한 병원성에 대한 원인을 분자생물학적 수준에서 규명하려는 노력의 일환으로 지역에 따라 주되게 출현하는 Ad형 규명이 활발히 이루어지고 있다. Ad 동정/확인은 표면을 이루고 있는 group 공통항원인 hexon 단백질을 탐지하는 효소면역 측정법 (EIA)에 의하며, Ad형별은 Ad fiber의 세포독성 중화시험에의 한다. 그러나, 세포독성 중화시험이 엄청난 노동력 및 시간을 요구하면서도 민감도/특이도가 만족스럽지 못하여 이를 개선하기 위하여 검체 또는 세포배양에서 Ad DNA를 추출하여 제한효소 절단형태를 비교하는 방법이 개발되었는데 이는 세포배양에 잘 자라지 않는 바이러스주의 형별뿐만 아니라 지역 분리주들의 지놈 변형주를 관찰하는 분자생물학적/분자역학적 연구에도 도움이 되고 있다. 국내에는 Ad와 관련된 소아장염의 빈도가 rotavirus에 의한 것 다음으로 빈번한데도 Ad40/41외에 주되게 출현하는 장내 Ad형들이 전혀 규명된 바 없고, 한국형 Ad들의 지놈형태가 전혀 보고된 바가 없다. 또한 세계적으로 Ad형별 조사지역이 늘어감에 따라 유아장염과 연관된 Ad 역시 Ad40, 41이 외의 형들이 Ad40, 41을 능가하는 것으로 보고되고 있는 지역도 있으나 국내에서는 Ad40, 41이외의 형들은 그 역학적 중요도가 전혀 알려져 있지 않다. 이로서 본 연구의 목적은 Ad주들에 특이 중화항체를 이용한 세포독성 중화시험과 Ad DNA 절단법을 적용하여 한국형 장내 Ad주들의 형별을 처음으로 시도함과 동시에 1989-1991사이 출현한 Ad들의 유전적 변형을 관찰하려는 것이었다. 두 방법 모두 사용하였을 때 주되게 출현하는 장내 Ad형들은 Ad4l, Ad2, Ad7, Ad5, 및 Ad40이었다. Ad40/41-양성 검체를 제외한 Ad hexon-EIA양성들의 77.5%를 형별 할 수 있었던 Ad DNA의 제한효소 절단방법은 형들간의 교차중화로 특이성이 낮았던 중화방법 (47.5%)보다 매우 효율적이어서 두 가지 방법을 함께 적응하였을 때는 40주중의 81.5%인 35주를 형별 할 수 있었다. 또한Ad DNA 제한 효소 절단방법은 Ad7 변이주 (Ad7b)도 탐지 할 수 있었다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2010

Purpose : The Purposes of this study are to identify the circulating etiologic viruses of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children and to understand the relation with clinical diagnosis. Methods : We obtained a total of 418 nasopharyngeal aspirates from children admitted for their acute lower respiratory tract infections at three tertiary hospitals in Seoul from September 2008 to March 2009. We performed multiplex RT-PCR to identify 14 etiologic viruses and analyzed their emerging patterns and clinical features. Results : Average age of patients was 16.4 months old and the ratio of male to female was 1.36. Viruses were detected in 56.2% of a total of 418 samples. Respiratory syncytial virus (35%) was the most frequently detected and followed by human rhinovirus (22%), human bocavirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and human coronavirus. Co-infection reached 21.9 % of positive patients. Conclusion : When we manage the patients with acute lower respiratory infectious diseases, we should remind the role of various viral pathogens, which might be circulating by seasons and by local areas.