• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1605-1612
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• 2016

Quinolone-resistant Salmonella strains were isolated from patient samples, and several quinolone-sensitive strains were used to analyze mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE and to screen for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance. Among the 21 strains that showed resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin (MIC 0.125-2.0 μg/ml), 17 strains had a mutation in QRDR codon 87 of gyrA, and 3 strains had a single mutation (Ser83 → Phe). Another cause of resistance, efflux pump regulation, was studied by examining the expression of acrB, ramA, marA, and soxS. Five strains, including Sal-KH1 and Sal-KH2, showed no increase in relative expression in an analysis using the qRT-PCR method (p < 0.05). In order to determine the genes involved in the resistance, the Sal-9 isolate that showed decreased susceptibility and did not contain a mutation in the gyrA QRDR was used to make the STM (MIC 8 μg/ml) and STH (MIC 16 μg/ml) ciprofloxacin-resistant mutants. The gyrA QRDR Asp87 → Gly mutation was identified in both the STM and STH mutants by mutation analysis. qRT-PCR analysis of the efflux transporter acrB of the AcrAB-TolC efflux system showed increased expression levels in both the STM (1.79-fold) and STH (2.0-fold) mutants. In addition, the expression of the transcriptional regulator marA was increased in both the STM (6.35-fold) and STH (21.73-fold) mutants. Moreover, the expression of soxS was increased in the STM (3.41-fold) and STH (10.05-fold) mutants (p < 0.05). Therefore, these results indicate that AcrAB-TolC efflux pump activity and the target site mutation in gyrA are involved in quinolone resistance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosa are important nosocomial pathogens. Their resistance to carbapenem is increasing and causing concerns in Korea. An increasing prevalence of carbapenem resistance mediated by acquired carbapenemase is being reported. Over a 10 month-period from July 2007 to April 2008, 32 strains of imipenem-nonsusceptible P. auruginosa were isolated from Kangwon National University Hospital. To determine the prevalence and genotypes of the carbapenemase-producing clinical isolates, the antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Microscan Walkaway 96 SI System and the carbapenem activity was detected by the modified Hodge test and the imipenem-EDTA-SMA double-disk synergy test. The metallo-${\beta}$-lactamase gene and OXA-type ${\beta}$-lactamase gene reported in Korea were detected by PCR. As for the result of PCR, 30 isolates of P. aeruginosa were found to have $bla_{IMP-1}$-like and 1 isolate was found to have $bla_{IMP-1}$-like and $bla_{IMP-2}$. No clinical isolates were found to have $bla_{SIM-1}$, $bla_{OXA-23}$-like and $bla_{OXA-24}$-like. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and dendrogram for genetical similarity to band patterns of each clinical isolates were examined. P. aeruginosa were grouped into 7 clusters of up to 50% of similarity index. In the P. aeruginosa group, PS3 was resistant to the most antibiotics, PS1 was susceptible to the most antibiotics. PS7 was resistant to aztreonam unlike other groups. This is the first report of prevalence of carbapenemase in Chuncheon.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2018

The rapid increase in number and diversity of Extended Spectrum ${\beta}$-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae in natural aquatic environment is a major health concern worldwide. This study investigates abundance and distribution of ESBL producing multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae and molecular characterization of ESBL genes among isolates from highly polluted stretch of river Yamuna, India. Water samples were collected from ten different sites distributed across Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, during 2014-15. A total of 506 non duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production and antibiotic sensitivity for 15 different antibiotics were performed according to CLSI guidelines (Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute, 2015). A subset of ESBL positive Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene and screened for ESBL genes, such as $bla_{CTX-M}$, $bla_{TEM}$ and $bla_{OXA}$. Out of 506 non-duplicate bacterial isolates obtained, 175 (34.58%) were positive for ESBL production. Susceptibility pattern for fifteen antibiotics used in this study revealed higher resistance to cefazolin, rifampicin and ampicillin. A high proportion (76.57%) of ESBL positive isolates showed multidrug resistance phenotype, with MAR index of 0.39 at Buddha Vihar and Old Delhi Railway bridge sampling site. Identification and PCR based characterization of ESBL genes revealed the prevalence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ and $bla_{TEM}$ genes to be 88.33% and 61.66%, respectively. Co-occurrence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ and $bla_{TEM}$ genes was detected in 58.33% of the resistant bacteria. The $bla_{OXA}$ gene was not detected in any isolates. This study highlights deteriorating condition of urban aquatic environment due to rising level of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae with multidrug resistance phenotype.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.319-327
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• 1987

In order to develop useful plasmid vectors for Zymomonas cells, attempts were made to isolate natural plasmids from Z. mobilis ATCC10988. Among a few plasmids isolated, a small plasmid of 3.9 Kb size was chosen and designated as pZM3. By introducing the replication origin of pZM3 into pBR325, a hybrid plasmid vector of 8.4 Kb size, pHZ22, was constructed. This vector contained chloramphenicol resistant gene as a selectable marker and proved to be conjugally transmissible and stably maintained in Z. mobilis. Tetracycline resistant gene was isolated from RP4 and introduced into pHZ22 to make a new vector called pHZT224 of 10.7 Kb size. Through n series of experiments, it was evident that these plasmid vectors containing selectable markers of chloramphenicol and tetracycline resistance were shuttle vectors functional in Z. mobilis as well as E. coli.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2011

Background: Little data is available regarding hospitalized patients with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). This is unfortunate because there is an increasing number of elderly persons who are living in nursing homes in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics and treatment responses of NHAP with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: Patients with pneumonia who were admitted from eight nursing homes or from their own homes were enrolled between May 2007 and April 2009. Their clinical characteristics and treatment responses were reviewed retrospectively, and differences between the two groups were analyzed. Results: Of 110 Patients with pneumonia, 66 (60%) were from nursing homes and their median age was 84. In the NHAP group, functional performance status was significantly poorer, classical symptoms of pneumonia were less severe, and multi-lobe involvement (on chest radiographs) was more frequent than in the CAP group. Patients with NHAP more frequently showed lymphocytopenia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoxemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen on admission. The mean CURB-65 score was 2.2 in the NHAP group, higher than 1.7 in the CAP group (p=0.004), and multi-drug resistant pathogens were also highly identified in NHAP group (39% vs. 10%, p=0.036). The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was greater for the NHAP (12.6 days) than for the CAP group (6.6 days) (p<0.001). The mortality rate was 23% in NHAP group, which was significantly higher than 5% in the CAP group (p=0.014). Conclusion: NHAP should be more intensively investigated because of the higher frequency of multi-drug resistant pathogens and mortality than the CAP.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.395-398
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• 2007

A total of 114 Salmonella spp. (17.90%) were isolated from 637 fecal swab samples collected in October 2005 and they were from 25 (78.13%) of 32 farms investigated nation-widely in Korea. Salmonella spp. from age group of 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-day olds were 17.61%, 16.98%, 15.72%, and 21.25%, respectively. Nine serovars of Salmonella spp. were identified. The predominant serovars of isolates were S. Typhimurium (including var Copenhagen), S. Agona, S. Derby, and S. Heidelberg by turns. Almost isolates belonged to serogroup B (69.30%). All isolates were resistant to penicillin G and oxytetracycline, and this was considered due to be used as feed additive through the most of pig farms for decades. And also, frequent resistance observed for ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and lincomycin-spectinomycin, which are commonly used in veterinary medicine for decades, indicates an urgent need to utilize these antimicrobials more prudently if their benefits are to be preserved.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2012

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most concerns in pig industry. Escherichia (E.) coli have been used for the indicator to monitor the antimicrobial resistance. In this study, 321 E. coli from diarrheic and non-diarrheic piglets were tested for antimicrobial resistance and frequency of $Bla_{TEM}$. In non-diarrheic piglets, they were resistant to oxytetracycline (93%), streptomycin (92%) and sulfadiazine (90%) but susceptible to ceftiofur (99%), colistin (97%), and enrofloxacin (82%). The isolates from diarrheic piglets were resistant to enrofloxacin (72.9%), ceftiofur (17.6%), and colistin (11.3%), whereas the resistance was 1%, 18% and 3% in case of non-diarrheic piglets, respectively. The resistance for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (54.1%) and ceftiofur (22%) was high in isolates from post-weaning piglets. The resistance for colistin was 15.2% in nursery piglets. Seventy-three percent of isolates from diarrheic piglets showed high multidrug resistance profile (more than 13 antimicrobials) compared to those from non-diarrheic pigs in which 71% of isolates showed moderate multidrug resistance profile (7 to 12 antimicrobials). The frequency of $Bla_{TEM}$ in E. coli from non-diarrheic and diarrheic piglets was 57% and 69%, respectively. The results might provide the basic knowledge to establish the strategies for treatment and reduce antibiotic resistance of E. coli in piglets.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.186-192
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• 2014

Purpose: The prevalence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has increased worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of MRMP in a tertiary hospital in Korea, and to find potential laboratory markers that could be used to predict the efficacy of macrolides in children with MRMP pneumonia. Methods: A total of 95 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia were enrolled in this study. Detection of MRMP was based on the results of specific point mutations in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively and the clinical course and laboratory data were compared. Results: The proportion of patients with MRMP was 51.6% and all MRMP isolates had the A2063G point mutation. The MRMP group had longer hospital stay and febrile period after initiation of macrolides. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-18 in nasopharyngeal aspirate were significantly higher in patients who did not respond to macrolide treatment. CRP was the only significant factor in predicting the efficacy of macrolides in patients with MRMP pneumonia. The area under the curve for CRP was 0.69 in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, indicating reasonable discriminative power, and the optimal cutoff value was 40.7 mg/L. Conclusion: The proportion of patients with MRMP was high, suggesting that the prevalence of MRMP is rising rapidly in Korea. Serum CRP could be a useful marker for predicting the efficacy of macrolides and helping clinicians make better clinical decisions in children with MRMP pneumonia.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.434-440
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• 2008

The purpose of this research was to investigate the microbiological quality and antimicrobial susceptibilities of the ready-to-eat side dishes, which are were collected from the grocery stores, big markets, and department stores in Seoul throughout November, 2007. Of total 124 samples, presence of staphylococci and enteric bacilli was observed in 38 samples (31%) and 53 samples (43%), respectively. And 30 samples (24%) were shown to be of unsatisfactory quality for total bacterial count (>$10^5$). Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the staphylococci isolated from the side dishes were tested for six different antimicrobial agents, which are in widespread clinical use in Korea, as well as four new antimicrobials, daptomycin, linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin and tigecycline. As a result, the staphylococcal isolates were found to be resistant to oxacillin (${MIC}_{90}$, >128 ${\mu}g$/ml), teicoplanin (${MIC}_{90}$, >128 ${\mu}g$/ml), mupirocin (${MIC}_{90}$, >128 ${\mu}g$/ml), linezolid (${MIC}_{90}$, 128 ${\mu}g$/ ml) and quinupristin/dalfopristin (${MIC}_{90}$, 32 ${\mu}g$/ml). Especially, some of the staphylococcal isolates exhibited high level and multi-drug resistance. Moreover, these bacteria were also resistant to new antimicrobials, except tigecycline.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Canine otitis externa is a common disorder in small animal practice with prevalence up to 20%. In a large percentage of cases, canine otitis externa is a chronic and recurrent disease also associated with drug-resistant bacteria that is difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new strategy to exterminate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy against canine otitis externa using three photosensitizer (PS); 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and Methyl aminolevulinic acid (MAL) with semiconductor laser diode (SLD, 635nm of wave length), Chlorophyll-lipoid complex (CLC) with light-emitting diode (LED, 660nm of wave length). After PDT, dogs showed improved Otitis Index Score (OTIS) in swelling, exudate, odor, and pain. A result of the cytology test revealed decrease of bacteria and malassezia count in the oil immersion field and colony forming units count. PDT was effective as a bacteriocide of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and a fungicide of Malassezia pachydermatis. MAL and 5-ALA were more effective PS against canine otitis externa than CLC. These results suggest that PDT is a new strategy to exterminate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. PDT can be considered as a new therapeutic approach for canine recurrent otitis externa and a countermeasure to drug resistance that is a disadvantage of traditional antibiotic and antifungal therapy.