• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.784-789
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• 2016

We evaluated the synergistic antibacterial effect in combination with the chitosan-ferulic acid conjugate (CFA) and β-lactam antibiotics, such as ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. CFA clearly reversed the antibacterial activity of ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin against MRSA in the combination mode. Among these antibiotics, the combination of oxacillin-CFA resulted in a ΣFIC_min range of 0.250 and ΣFIC_max of 0.563, suggesting that the oxacillin-CFA combination resulted in an antibacterial synergy effect against MRSA. In addition, we determined that CFA inhibited the mRNA expression of gene mecA and the production of PBP2a, which is a key determinant for β-lactam antibiotic resistance, in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the results obtained in this study supported the idea on the antibacterial action mechanism that oxacillin will restore the antibacterial activity against MRSA through the suppression of PBP2a production by CFA.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2006

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the leading cause of nasocomial infection and the most commonly isolated from clinical specimens. $Extended-spectrum-{\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL) producing K. pneumoniae infection was associated with a significantly longer duration of hospital stay and greater hospital charges. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antibiotic resistant patterns and the DNA fingerprint types of extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL) producing K. pneumoniae. 223K. pneumoniae strains were collected from three general hospitals with more than 500 beds in Busan, Korea from September 2004 to October 2005. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics was measured using the Gram negative susceptibility (GNS) cards of VITEK (Vitek system, Hazelwood Inc., MO). Random amplified polymorphic DNA method was used to detect DNA fingerprint of the organisms. Of the 226 K. pneumoniae isolates 65 ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains were detected by the Vitek system and confirmed by the double-disk synergy test. All the 65K. pneumoniae strains were resistant cefazolin, cefepime, ceftriaxone and aztreonam, and 83.0% of the organisms were resistant to ampicillin/sulbactam, 66.1% to tobramycin, 67.6% to piperacillin/tazobactam, 61.5% to ciprofloxacin, and 47.6% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and 43.0% to gentamicin. The RAPD patterns were distincted as 10 types by three random 10-mer primers (208, 272, 277). Among ten type patterns, three types (Ic, IIb, IIIe) were remarkably represented at patient of internal department, nerve surgery department, general surgery department, and neonatal room. These results indicate that RAPD can be useful for DNA of strains typing in the epidemiological investigations. Therefore more investigation are needed in order to prevent the ESBL type-producing K. pneumoniae from spreading resistance to oxyimino cephalosphorin antibiotics.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2016

For comparison of tetracycline-resistant ($Tc^R$) genes, we obtained 21 and 14 $Tc^R$ Staphylococcus spp. from marine environment and human patient, respectively. Although all isolates from human were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, higher proportion of $Tc^R$ isolates (12 out of 14) from human were utilizing tet(M) gene compared to that of $Tc^R$ isolates (6 out of 21) from marine environment. Additionally, collaborated utilization of tet(M) and erm(A) in $Tc^R-Em^R$ S. aureus in human patient, but not in $Tc^R$ Staphylococcus spp. isolates from marine environment was also characterized. Based on the nucleotide sequence of transposon related to $Tc^R$ gene, we confirmed the origin of tet(M) gene in $Tc^R$ Staphylococci isolated from marine environments and human are derived from Tn916/1545-like and Tn5801 transposon, respectively. It is the first report showing the presence of Tn5801 in all $Tc^R$ S. aureus carrying tet(M) in human patient. Alignment of the fully sequenced tet(M) from marine environmental isolates was also agreed with the determined transposons by showing the genomic mosaic structure composed with three genomic parts from Tn916/1545 and unknown transposons. Genetic characteristics of these tet(M) in environmental isolates were similar to each other but different from those in isolates from human showing only tet(M) from Tn916/5801 type. It may imply the presence of less dramatic communication of antibiotic resistant genes between Staphylococci isolated from marine environment and human.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.7-11
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• 2010

In recent times, antimicrobial resistance has been a concern because of its relation to national health and food safety. In this study, we reviewed the management of antibiotics and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in domestic and foreign countries and analyzed microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance in dairy farms and raw milk. The isolates from dairy farms were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus chromogens, Escherichia coli, Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, Enterobacter spp., and Kluyvera intermedia. Rummeliibacillus stabekisii, Paenibacillus badius, Pantoea agglomerans, B. oleronius, B. fusiformis, and B. badius were isolated from feed E. coli and Kurthia gibsonii, from feces and S. pasteuri, S. aureus, S. chromogenes, and Salmonella spp., from raw milk. Pathogens isolated from dairy farms and raw milk were tested for susceptibility to 20 types of antibiotics. E. coli (EAEC) and E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) isolated from dairy farms, E. coli (EAEC) isolated from feces, and Salmonella spp. isolated from raw milk showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. These results show that antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms should be more effectively managed to improve the safety of dairy farms.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.328-333
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• 1999

Susceptibility of 61 strains of Helicobacter pylori to metronidazole was examined by both the disk diffusion method using a cut-off of 15㎜ for resistance and the E test with a cut-off of 8㎎/l. The MIC/sub 50/ and MIC/sub 90/ by the E test were 2 ㎎/l and 256㎎/l, respectively. Metronidazole resistance was found in 22 (36％) out of the 61 H. pylori strains by the E test and in three additional strains by the disk diffusion method. Amongst the latter three isolates, the MICs by the E test were 4 ㎎/l, 6㎎/l, and 6㎎/l, respectively. These figures are one log₂ or half log₂ dilution lower than the cut-off of 8㎎/l recommended as resistance for the E test. All 22 metronidazole resistant H. pylori isolates by the E test that were subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting showed different DNA fingerprints. Interestingly, >90％ of resistant isolates possess two common DNA bands of 0.4 and 0.9 kb. This study demonstrates that the results of the disk diffusion method for testing H. pylori susceptibility to metronidazole correlates well with that of the E test. The criteria for interpretation need to be internationally standardized so that the results from different centers can be compared.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2020

Objectives In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Maneung-hwan (MEH), which is prescribed by practitioners of oriental medicine for use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The antibacterial activity of MEH against MRSA strains was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test. The mechanism of action of MEH was investigated by bacteriolysis using detergents or ATPase inhibitors Additionally, mRNA and protein expression were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, respectively. Results The MIC of MEH was 25~1,600 ㎍/mL against all the tested bacterial strains. We showed that MEH extract exerts strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, the fractional inhibitory concentration index of MEH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergism or partial synergism against S. aureus. The time-kill study indicated that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after a 24-h treatment with MEH and selected antibiotics. To measure the cell membrane permeability, MEH (3.9 ㎍/mL) was combined with Triton X-100 (TX) at various concentrations N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) was also tested as an ATPase inhibitor. TX and DCCD cooperation against S. aureus exhibited synergistic action. Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity of MEH in the context of cell membrane rupture and ATPase inhibition was assessed. Additionally, the expression of genes and proteins associated with resistance was reduced after exposing MRSA to MEH. Conclusions These results suggest that MEH possesses antibacterial activity and acts as a potential natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the characters of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food, animal feces, dry cattle food, and the environment in Seoul and Kyonggi province during the period from 1998 to 2003. Serotyping of 70 L. monocytogenes isolates was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the microdilution method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. All the isolates were tested against 20 antimicrobial agents. The serotypes of the 70 L. monocytogenes isolates were 1/2c (62.8%), 1/2a (20%) and 1/2b (17.2%). Of the 70 L. monocytogenes isolates, 67.1%, 57.1%, 11.4%, 5.7%, 2.8%, 1.4% and 1.4% were resistant to tetracycline (Te), minocycline (Mi), norfloxacin (Nor), ciprofloxacin (Cip), neomycin (N), chloramphenicol (C) and cephalothin (Cf), respectively. However, all isolates were 100% sensitive to antibiotics such as amikacin, ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamycin, imipenem, kanamycin, ofloxcin, streptomycin, penicillin, trimethoprim, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Multiple resistance patterns of the isolates were observed in TeMiNor Cip (1.4%), TeMiNor (7.1%), TeMiCip (2.9%), TeMiN (1.4%) and TeMi (44.3%). The results of this study indicate that many L. monocytogenes isolates are resistant to antimicrobial agents including Te and Mi. The possibility that the isolates could increasingly acquire multiple antimicrobial resistant properties cannot be precluded.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 1985

To investigate the condition for the protoplast fusion of Streptococcus lactis, streptomycin(200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) resistant and rifampicin (200$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) resistant mutants were isolated. By using these markers, protoplast fusion was carried out in the presence of CaCl$_2$ and polyethylene glycol. The optimal conditions for the protoplast fusion were obtained by treatment of protoplasts with 150 mM CaCl$_2$ (final concentration; 25 mM) and 40％ (w/v) PEG 4, 000 for 2 min. At the optimal conditions, the fusion frequency was 6.26$\times$10$^{-5}$ . On the other hand, genetic recombination between the antibiotic resistant mutants by mating was not observed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial resistance, presence of ${\beta}$-lactamase genes and integrons in 83 ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from Nakdong river and Geumho river in Daegu. Among the ${\beta}$-lactam antimicrobials, all isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefamandole and cefotaxime, followed by piperacillin (98.8%), ampicillin/sulbactam (86.7%), aztreonam (60.2%) and cefepime (59.0%), whereas resistance to piperacillin/tazobacram, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid and cefoxitin was less than 30%. Many of the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were also resistant to non-${\beta}$-lactams antimicrobials such as nalidixic acid (83.1%), sulfonamides (72.3%), ciprofloxacin (62.7%) and gentamicin (38.6%). All isolates showed resistance to seven or more antimicrobial agents. The most frequently detected gene was $bla_{TEM+CTX-M}$ (49.4%), followed by $bla_{CTX-M}$ (27.7%), $bla_{TEM}$ (6.0%) and $bla_{OXA}$ (1.2%). But $bla_{SHV}$ was not found. Class 1 integrons were found in 61.4% (51 isolates) of isolates, however, class 2 and 3 integrons were not detected. The results showed water from Nakdong river and Geumho river is contaminated with ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. These results suggest the need for further investigation of antibiotic resistant bacteria to prevent public health impacts in the water environment.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

Otitis externa (OE) is a frequent disease in the ear canals of dogs. To identify the pathogens causing OE in dogs and to determine their antimicrobial resistances, specimens were collected from animal hospitals in Daejeon. The isolates were examined by morphological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. We analyzed correlation between the isolated pathogens and external factors of dogs such as breed, age, gender, ear mite, hair in ears and experience with antibiotic therapy. Thirty three strains of bacteria were isolated from 26 of the 68 heads of dogs with OE. The most isolated bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (Sta. aureus), Sta. pseudointermedius, E. faecium, E. avium and Streptococcus canis (Strep. canis) in order of frequency of occurrence. Isolation frequency of Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were 51.5% and 45.5%, respectively. E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates showed VanB phenotype, which is resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin were 58% and 25%, respectively. Nine isolates among total twelve isolates of E. faecalis were isolated from the dogs treated with antibiotics. There was no methicillin-resistant Sta. aureus (MRSA), but were MR-Sta. pseudointermedius (MRSP) (57.1%) and vancomycin-resistant (VR)-Sta. pseudointermedius (14.3%) (VRSP) showing VanB phenotype. However, vanA, vanB and vanC genes were not detected in VR isolates from the dogs. Taken together, VR-Enterococcus spp. (VRE) is one of the major pathogens in domestic animals, as well as community-and hospital-acquired infection.