• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1977

40 strains of E. coli isolated from residents of a doctorless area in Korea in 1976 and 40 strains of E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University Hospital from 1975 to 1976 were examined for susceptibilities to 14 antimicrobial agents by the agar dilution method. The susceptibilities of the two groups to each antimicrobial agent were compared and correlations in the antimicrobial susceptibility of the 80 strains of E. coli among the 14 antimicrobial agents were also analyzed. The results were obtained as follow: 1. With Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Doxycycline and Ampicillin, the mean MIC's of E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University Hospital were 8.6 to 14 times higher than. those of E. coli isolated from residents of a doctorless area. 2. With Streptomycin, Minocycline and Carbenicillin, the mean MIC's o{ E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University Hospital were 4.1 to 5.6 times higher than those of E. coil isolated from residents of a doctorless area. 3. With Kanamycin, Penicillin and Cotrimoxazole, the mean MIC's of E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University Hospital were 2.6 to 3.7 times higher than those of E. coli isolated from residents of a doctorless area. 4. There were no significant differences in susceptibility to Erythromycin respectively between E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University coli isolated from residents of a doctorless area. 5. E. coli isolated from patients of Seoul National University Hospital were resistant to Erythromycin(100%), Streptomycin(75%), Tetracycline(72.5%), Oxytetracycline(72.5%), Doxycycline(72.5%), Minocycline(67.5%), Penicillin(82.5%), Ampicillin(60%) and Carbenicillin(65%) respectively and were sensitive to Gentamicin(97.5%), Cephalexin(92.5%) and Kanamycin(72.5%) respectively. 6. E. coli isolated from residents of a doctorless, area were resistant to Erythromycin(100%), Streptomycin(40%) and Penicillin(50%) respectively and were sensitive to Gentamicin(100%), Kanamycin(92.5%), Tetracycline(87.5%), Oxytetracycline(87.5%), Doxycycline(87.5%), Minocycline(87.5%), Ampicillin(95%), Carbenicillin(92.5%) and Cephalexin(97.5%) respectively. 7. There were high correlations among the suscebtibilities of the 80 strains of E. coli to Tetracycline analogues(Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Doxycycline and Minocycline) and among susceptibilities of the 80 strains of E. coli to Penicillin analogues(Penicillin, Ampicillin and Carbenicillin). 8. There were relatively high correlations between the susceptibilities of the 80 strains of E. coli to Penicillin analogues and those to Tetracycline analogues, between the susceptibilities to Penicillin analogues and those to Streptomycin and between the susceptibilities to Tetracycline analogues and those to Streptomycin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.555-562
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• 2012

PCR was performed to analyze the ${\beta}$-lactamase genes carried by ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains isolated from marine environments in Korea between 2006 and 2009. All 36 strains tested showed negative results in PCR with the primers designed from the nucleotide sequences of various known ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. This prompted us to screen new ${\beta}$-lactamase genes. A novel ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was cloned from Vibrio alginolyticus KV3 isolated from the aquaculture water of Geoje Island of Korea. The determined nucleotide sequence (VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase) revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 852 bp, encoding a protein of 283 amino acids (aa), which displayed low homology to any other ${\beta}$-lactamase genes reported in public databases. The deduced 283 aa sequence of VAK-3, consisting of a 19 aa signal peptide and a 264 aa mature protein, contained highly conserved peptide segments specific to class A ${\beta}$-lactamases including the specific amino acid residues STFK (62-65), SDN (122-124), E (158), and RTG (226-228). Results from PCR performed with primers specific to the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene identified 3 of the 36 isolated strains as V. alginolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae, indicating the utilization of various ${\beta}$-lactamase genes including unidentified ones in ampicillin-resistant Vibrio spp. strains from the marine environment. In a mating experiment, none of the isolates transfered the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene to the Escherichia coli recipient. This lack of mobility, and the presence of a chromosomal acyl-CoA flanking sequence upstream of the VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase gene, led to the assumption that the location of this new ${\beta}$-lactamase gene was in the chromosome, rather than the mobile plasmid. Antibiotic susceptibility of VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase was indicated by elevated levels of resistance to penicillins, but not to cephalosporins in the wild type and E. coli harboring recombinant plasmid pKV-3, compared with those of the host strain alone. Phylogenetic analysis showed that VAK-3 ${\beta}$-lactamase is a new and separate member of class A ${\beta}$-lactamases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.423-431
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• 2006

Among 53 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates collected in 2004, nine imipenem-resistant isolates were obtained from clinical specimens taken from patients hospitalized in Busan, Korea. Nine carbapenemase-producing isolates were further investigated in order to determine the mechanisms underlying resistance. These isolates were then analyzed via antibiotic susceptibility testing, microbiological tests of carbapenemase activity, pI determination, transconjugation test, enterobacterial repetitive consensus (ERIC)-PCR, and DNA sequencing. One outbreak involved seven cases of infection by A. baumannii producing OXA-23 ${\beta}-lactamase$, and was found to have been caused by a single ERIC-PCR clone. During the study period, the other outbreak involved two cases of infection by A. baumannii producing IMP-1 ${\beta}-lactamase$. The two clones, one from each of the outbreaks, were characterized via a modified cloverleaf synergy test and an EDTA-disk synergy test. The isoelectric focusing of the crude bacterial extracts detected nitrocefin-positive bands with pI values of 6.65 (OXA-23) and 9.0 (IMP-1). The PCR amplification and characterization of the amplicons via direct sequencing showed that the clonal isolates harbored $bla_{IMP-1}$ or $bla_{oxA-23}$ determinants. The two clones were characterized by a multidrug resistance phenotype that remained unaltered throughout the outbreak. This resistance encompassed penicillins, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, and aminoglycosides. These results appear to show that the imipenem resistance observed among nine Korean A. baumannii isolates could be attributed to the spread of an IMP-lor OXA-23-producing clone. Our microbiological test of carbapenemase activity is a simple method for the screening of clinical isolates producing class D carbapenemase and/or class B $metallo-{\beta}-lactamase$, in order both to determine their clinical impact and to prevent further spread.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.769-776
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• 2014

Anisomycin, also known as flagecidin, is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseolus that inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal 28S subunit. The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein that induces apoptotic cell death. TRAIL primarily causes apoptosis in tumor cells by binding to death receptors. Many human cancer cell lines are refractory to TRAIL-induced cell death. In this study, we investigated whether anisomycin could enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. Treatment with anisomycin and TRAIL alone did not reduce cell viability in Hep3B cells. However, in the presence of TRAIL, the anisomycin concentration dependently reduced the cell viability. Our results indicate that anisomycin sensitizes Hep3B cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and that this occurs, at least partly, via caspase activation. Interestingly, Bid knockdown by small interfering RNA significantly reduced the induction of apoptosis in combination with anisomycin and TRAIL, indicating that anisomycin effectively acts to lower the threshold at which TRAIL-mediated truncated Bid triggers the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis program in Hep3B cells. Therefore, the use of TRAIL in combination with anisomycin might provide an effective therapeutic strategy for the safe treatment of some TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

The fermentation of Panax ginseng can yield many compounds from ginsenosides that have a wide variety of biological functions. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains are capable of converting ginsenosides. The purposes of this study were to: (1) characterize Enterococcus faecium SA5, an isolated LAB from Mongolian mare milk, (2) identify the existence of extracellular ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity in the milk, and (3) ascertain if the ${\beta}$-glucosidase has the capacity of converting ginsenoside in Korean ginseng. The results revealed that E. faecium SA5 was acid-resistant, bile salt-resistant, and has antibiotic activities against 4 pathogenic microorganisms (Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 3216, Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3710, Bacillus cereus KCTC 1012, Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1621). In addition, E. faecium SA5 had tolerance against some antibiotics such as colistin, gentamycin and neomycin. It was also found that E. faecium SA5 possessed bile salt hydrolase activity, which could lower blood cholesterol level. When incubated in 10% (w/v) skim milk as a yogurt starter, E. faecium SA5 caused to decrease pH of the medium as well as increase in viable cell counts. Using TLC and HPLC analysis on the samples incubated in MRS broth, our study confirmed that E. faecium SA5 can produce ${\beta}$-glucosidase, which was capable of converting ginsenoside $Rb_1$ into new ginsenosides $Rg_3-s$ and $Rg_3-r$. It was concluded that E. faecium SA5 possessed a potential of probiotic activity, which could be applied to yogurt manufacture as well as ginsenoside conversion in ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1997

Total viable cells and lactose non-fermenting cells were counted from animal feedstuffs (n=65). And isolation of Gram negative lactose nonfermenting enterobacteria and antibiotics susceptibility of isolates were performed. 1. The ranges of total viable cells / lactose non-fermenters in animal feedstuffs from Korean cattle were counted as 9$\times$$10^4$-1$\times$$10^7$ / 1$\times$$10^2$-6$\times$$10^3$, milking cow as 1$\times$$10^4$-2$\times$$10^8$ / 2$\times$$10^2$-8$\times$$10^3$, pig as 1$\times$$10^4$-1$\times$$10^6$ / 2$\times$$10^2$-6$\times$$10^3$, and chicken as 7$\times$$10^4$-1$\times$$10^9$ / 4$\times$$10^2$-1$\times$$10^5$ cfu/g, respectively. 2. Among the 214 isolates from feedstufs, 87 from Chinan(n=23), 66 from Changsu (n=23) and 61 from Mooju(n=19) were isolated. Of these isolates, 60 from pigs (n: 19), 51 from milking cows(n=15), 45 from chikens(n=11) and 58 from Korean cattle(20) were isolated. 3. Among the 6 genuses of Gram negative lactose nonfermenting enterobacili, Salmonella sp, Y pseudotuberculosis, Ent agglomerans and Sal choleraesuis were frequently encountered. 4. A majority of isolates were sensitive to 19 antibiotics, singly or in combination. These isolates were completely susceptible to Cp, Gm, Imp and Pi, 93% to Ak and To, 73% to Cax and Ts, 66% to Cft and Tim, 46-53% to Caz, Cf and Cz, 33-40% to Am, Azt, Cfz and Ti, and 6% to Cfx, in order, but not susceptible to Crm. 5. Among the antibiotic resistant strains, a total of 23 resistant patterns was noted, and of these Crm 40(18.7%), Am Cf Cfx Cfz Crm Ti 27(12.6%), each of Azt Ctx Crm and Azt Cax Caz Cft Cfx Crm 22(10.3% ) were frequently encountered.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 1994.06a
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• pp.11-26
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• 1994

Crown gall of stonefruit and nut trees is one of the very few plant diseases subject to efficient biological control. The disease is caused by the soil-inhabiting bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes and the original control organism was a non-pathogenic isolate of A. rhizogenes strain K84. Control is achieved by dipping planting material in a cell suspension of strain K84 which specifically inhibits pathogenic strains containing a nopaline Ti plasmid. Because the agrocin 84-encoding plasmid (pAgK84) is conjugative, it can be transmitted from the control strain to pathogenic strains which, as a result, become immune to agrocin 84 and cannot be controlled. To prevent this happening, the transfer genes on pAgK84 were located and then largely eliminated by recombinant DNA technology. The resulting construct, strain K1026, is transfer deficient but controls crown gall just as effectively as does strain K84. Field data from Spain confirm that pAgK84 can transfer to pathogenic recipients from strain K84 but not from strain K1026. The latter has been registered in Australia as a pesticide and is the first genetically engineered organism in the world to be released fro commercial use. It is recommended as a replacement for strain K84 to prevent a breakdown in the effectiveness of biological control of crown gall. Several reports indicate that both strains K84 and K1026 sometimes control crown gall pathogens that are resistant to agrocin 84. A possible reason for this is that both strains produce a second antibiotic called 434 which inhibits growth of nearly all isolates of A. rhizogenes, both pathogens and non-pathogens. Crown gall of grapevine is caused by another species, Agrobacterium vitis. It is resistant to agrocin 84 and cannot be controlled by strains K84 or K1026. It is different from other crown gall pathogens in several characteristics, including the fact that, although a rhizosphere coloniser, its also lives systemically in the vascular tissue of grapevine. Pathogen free propagating material can be obtained from tissue culture or, less surely, by heat therapy of dormant cuttings. A number of laboratories are searching for a biocontrol strain that will prevent, or at least delay, reinfection. A non-pathogenic A. vitis strain F/25 from South Africa looks very promising in this regard.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the microbiological contamination on toothbrushes, toothbrush caps, and tooth cleaning cups in the child care centers and to evaluate the toxin genes, toxin production ability and antibiotic resistance of food-borne pathogens. The average number of total aerobic bacteria and fungi were 5.3 log CFU and 3.2 log CFU. Coliform bacteria were detected in 41 (54.7%) of 75 toothbrushes, 13 (44.8%) of 29 toothbrush caps, and 29 (44.6%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. Salmonella spp. was not detected in all of samples but Bacillus cereus was isolated from 1 (1.3%) of 75 toothbrushes and 2 (3.1%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 1 (1.5%) of 65 tooth cleaning cups. The nheA, nheB, nheC, hblC, hblD, hblA and entFM toxin genes were possessed in B. cereus isolated from toothbrush which also produce NHE and HBL enterotoxins. S. aureus was resistant to ampicillin and penicillin, while B. cereus was resistant to ${\beta}-lactam$ antibiotics. These results indicated that the sanitary conditions of toothbrushes and tooth cleaning cups in the child care centers should be improved promptly. The UV sterilization after drying and then storage in dried condition is required to improve the sanitary condition of toothbrushes and tooth cleaning cups in the child care center.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in innate immunity against pathogenic infections. AMPs exterminate pathogenic bacteria by disrupting cell membranes or inhibiting intracellular molecules. NK-2, first identified in pigs and derived from NK-lysin, has antimicrobial effects against bacteria and parasites. In this study, chimeric peptides (cpNK) of chicken and pig NK-2 and cpNK-derived peptides (cpNK-a1 and cpNK-a2) were synthesized, and their antimicrobial effects against various pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were investigated. The structure of chimeric peptides from chicken and pig NK-2, cpNK, include α-helix like NK-2 and peptide net charge was +9 like porcine NK-2. The cpNK peptide showed powerful bactericidal effects against most bacterial species, including MRSA, especially against gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, cpNK-derived short peptides, cpNK-a1 and a2 also showed bactericidal activity, but the effects were weaker than those of cpNK. Therefore, we conclude that cpNK- and cpNK-derived short peptides have the potential to be used as antibiotic alternatives.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.152-158
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• 2023

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin-producing strain of SA has been discovered worldwide and is known to cause serious infections. However, reports of neonatal infections caused by PVL-positive SA are rare. Here, we report a case of severe skin and soft tissue infection caused by PVL-positive SA in a 7-day-old neonate. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a history of fever for one day, tenderness, and sensation of buttocks heating. The infant presented with fever, tachycardia, poor general health, progressive tenderness, and edema of the buttocks on the day of admission. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed necrotizing fasciitis involving the skin, soft tissue, and muscles. Specimens drained from the buttock lesions confirmed the presence of PVL-positive methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA), and there was no bacteremia. She recovered after one month of intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainages. One month after discharge, she was rehospitalized for otitis externa and was infected with MRSA again. Considering the PVL-positive strain, the patient was treated with intravenous linezolid and dressing. The patient underwent decolonization therapy in a 0.5% chlorhexidine bath and recovered completely without sequelae. This case suggests that aggressive drainage and antibiotic treatment are essential for PVL-producing MRSA infections, and additional decolonization is needed to prevent recurrence and community spread.