• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.150-161
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of infections, ranging from benign skin infections to fatal invasive infections. Recently, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections have emerged in patients who do not have established risk factors. This study was conducted to characterize S. aureus infections in children with an emphasis on communityassociated MRSA infections at a tertiary care pediatric facility during a 3-year period. Methods : Four hundred twenty-nine cases of S. aureus infections diagnosed at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between January 2004 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The cases were classified as hospitalonset (HO) or community-onset (CO), healthcare-associated (HA), or community-associated (CA) infections. Results : Among the 206 cases <1 year of age, 72%, 7%, and 21% were HO-HA, CO-HA, and CA infections, respectively, as compared to 48%, 28%, and 24% among the 223 cases >1 year of age. The proportion of CO-HA infections among HA infections (8.6% vs. 37.1%, P<0.001) and the proportion of HA infections among the CO infections (24.5% vs. 54.3%, P <0.001) were greater in older children than in infants. Overall, 57% of the isolates were methicillin-resistant. Twenty-nine (30%) of 96 CA strains were MRSA, and the most common site of CA-MRSA infection was the skin and soft tissues (26 cases). Conclusion : The methicillin resistance rate of S. aureus from CA infections was high and CA-MRSA was most often associated with skin and soft tissue infections.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nasal carriage in Korean children attending day care centers. Methods : During September and October 2009, a survey for nasal carriage of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was conducted among children attending day care centers located in Seoul with questionnaire survey for evaluation of risk factors of acquisition of MRSA was obtained from their guardians. A culture of the anterior nares swabs using enrichment broth was executed for isolating S. aureus and oxacillin susceptibility was assessed by the disk diffusion method. Results : Out of the 428 children enrolled whose mean age was 55 months old, 163 (38.1%) were colonized with S. aureus. Of the 163 isolates, 40 (24.5%) were MRSA. The nasal carriage rate of S. aureus showed an increasing trend with increase of age. Based on the answer to the questionnaire, 9.2% and 3.6% of children had a recent history of hospitalization and surgery, respectively, and approximately 40% of children had a history of prescription of antibiotics within 1 year prior to enrollment. Of the 428 subjects, 40 (9.3%) were MRSA nasal carriers. Conclusion : S. aureus and MRSA carriage rate of children attending day care center in Korea was 38.1% and 9.3%, respectively. Continued surveillance for nasal carriage rate of S. aureus and MRSA (especially community-associated MRSA) is mandatory.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.245-253
• /
• 2013

To provide reference data or guideline for empirical treatment of bloodstream infection, we studied a change pattern in causative microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility in a general hospital at Gyeonggi province during five years. We retrospectively reviewed the frequency of causative microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility results of 5,782 microorganisms isolated from blood culture in a general hospital during the period from January 2008 to December 2012. The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (14.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.5%), Streptococcus viridans group (4.9%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.1%). The multiple microorganisms were isolated in 4.3% of bloodstream infection patients. The average contamination rate of blood culture during five years was 3.0%. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated at 62%, 27% and 11%, respectively. Cefotaxime-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 20% and 18%, respectively. Imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) and Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) was 25% and 66%, respectively. E. coli and S. aureus were most common pathogens isolated from blood culture for five years. The increase of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, such as MRSA, VRE, ESBL, IRPA and IRAB, requires more strict control of antibiotics and causes the need of the more updated guideline for the treatment of blood stream infection.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.212-215
• /
• 2012

The antimicrobial activity of ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA), both triterpenoid compounds, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is controversial. We examined the antimicrobial effects of UA and OA against 19 strains of MRSA isolated from Koreans by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The data showed that the methicillin-sensitive strain S. aureus KCTC $1621^T$ was more resistant to UA and OA than that of the MRSA strains. The MBC values of UA and OA against MRSA had broad ranges; 4 to 32 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 16 to >256 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. It was difficult to understand the different antimicrobial activities of UA and OA among the MRSA strains, because UA and OA antimicrobial mechanisms are unknown. These results indicate that the antimicrobial effects of UA and OA against MRSA are dependent on resistance to UA and OA in each strain.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.799-805
• /
• 2016

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the major causative agent of nosocomial infection, has also been reported from non-human sources. A sequence type (ST) 541 MRSA isolate designated K12PJN53 was isolated from a healthy pig in 2012. The genome of K12PJN53 consists of 44 contiguous sequences (contigs), totalling 2,880,108 bases with 32.88% GC content. Among the annotated contigs, 14, 17, and 18 contained genes related to antimicrobial resistance, adherence, and toxin genes, respectively. The genomic distance of strain K12PJN53 was close to the ST398 strains. This is the first report of the draft genome sequence of a novel livestock-associated MRSA ST541 strain.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.525-531
• /
• 2005

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections and is one of the most commonly isolated bacterial species in the hospital and continues to be an important pathogen in both community and hospital-acquired infection. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which is associated with hospitals is now being isolated in the community. The purpose of this study is to investigate the carrier rate of S. aureus in the community, antibiotic resistance patterns of the organism, detection of MRSA and mecA gene in MRSA. Ninety strains $(46.4\%)$ of S. aureus were isolated from the nasal specimens of 194 elementary school students. Eighty-nine strains $(98.9\%)$ of 90 S. aureus were resistant to penicilin, 36 strains $(40.0\%)$ to erythromycin, 14 strains $(15.6\%)$ to fusidic acid, 11 strains $(12.2\%)$ to gentamycin, 9 strains $(10.0\%)$ to tobramycin, 5 strains $(5.6\%)$ to oxacillin, 4 strains $(4.4\%)$ to clindamycin, 2 strains $(2.2\%)$ to tetracycline, 1 strains $(1.1\%)$ to fosfomycin. None of $90(0\%)$ S. aureus isolates was resistant to ciprpfloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, levofloxacin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin, rifampicin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin. Five strains $(5.6\%)$ of 90 S. aureus isolates were MRSA. The mecA gene was detected from five MRSA strains by PCR.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.146-149
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Foot infections are common complications in patients with diabetes. The patients are usually immune-compromised; therefore the pathogens could be resistant to narrow spectrum antibiotics. Those drugs, however, are categorized as specially managed antibiotics, and access are difficult without confirming of the pathogens. Our aim was to analyze the common pathogens in diabetic foot infection and figure out the proper antibiotics. Materials and Methods: We studied 68 patients treated with diabetic foot infection. The pathogens which caused the infection and their sensitivity to initial antibiotics were analyzed. We also investigated the change of the antibiotics after the confirming of the culture result and average time to get the result. Results: Among the 68 patients, 56 (82%) received cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotics. Only 12 (18%) who were confirmed the drug resistant pathogens from previous culture, were treated with broad spectrum antibiotics such as vancomycin and tazoperan. Average culture study time was 6 days. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was cultured in 19 patients (28%), Methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococcus (MRCNS) in 11 patietns (17%), pseudomonas in 11 patients (17%). Total 44 (65%) including 3 of other antibiotics resistant pathogen needed broad spectrum antibiotics. Thirty two patients (47%) were resistant to initial antibiotics.irt follow up culture, 2 MRSA and 2 MRCNS were found. The antibiotics resistant pathogens were confirmed in 48 (71%) patients at last. Conclusion: Diabetic patients with foot infection need proper antibiotics from initial treatment. The proper broad spectrum antibiotics should assigned to the patients from the first time without the confirming of the culture results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.359-368
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$ is a hydrofiber wound dressing integrated with ionic silver. Sorbact$^{(R)}$ is a hydrophobiccoated dressing that uses the hydrophobic interaction with microbes. In this study, we compared the wound healing effects and the antibacterial effects of Medifoam$^{(R)}$, Betadine soaked, Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$ and Sorbact$^{(R)}$ dressings against MRSA-infected wounds. Methods: Eighty rats were divided into four groups: Medifoam$^{(R)}$; Betadine soaked; Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$; and Sorbact$^{(R)}$. A $1.5{\times}1.5cm$ square full-thickness wound was made on the dorsum of each rat and infected with MRSA. Twenty-four hours thereafter, each dressing was applied to the wound and changed every other day. One, 3, 7, 11 and 15 days after the wound infection, swab culture grade, wound bed appearance score, and wound defect size change were evaluated, and 7 and 15 days after, histologic evaluation was compared between the groups. Results: The bacteria load of wounds in the Sorbact$^{(R)}$ group decreased earlier than in the other groups. The wound bed appearance score of the Sorbact$^{(R)}$ group also increased quicker, compared with the other groups. However, the size of wounds of the Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$ group decreased more rapidly, compared with other groups. From the histologic point of view, there was no significant difference between Betadine soaked, Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$ and Sorbact groups. Conclusion: The hydrophobic dressing using Sorbact$^{(R)}$ showed a more rapid reduction in the MRSA load and an elevation in the wound bed appearance score, but a slower decrease in wound size change due to detachment of wound bed tissue when the dressing was eliminated in the low exudate wound. The silver-containing hydrofiber dressing using Aquacel Ag$^{(R)}$ was more effective in ultimate wound size reduction, but some debris was trapped in the wound tissue and induced foreign body reaction in the high exudate wound. Thus, ongoing selection process of treatment based on the evaluation of the infectious wound state will be very important.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome(SSSS) isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus(MRSA) with those of SSSS isolated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcal aureus(MSSA) in children. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and microbiological results of 36 cases of SSSS who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2003. Results : Among 36 cases, there were 7 generalized types, 1 abortive type in MRSA group and 5 generalized types, 6 abortive types in MSSA group. The peak incidence of age was between 2 and 5 years in both groups. SSSS were diagnosed with increasing frequency. Most of MRSA group were diagnosed in 2003(6/8). The peak seasonal incidence was fall and winter in both groups. Facial lesion was observed in all cases followed by flexural lesion in both groups. Staphylococci were isolated from the skin and throat most frequently in both groups. Upper respiratory illness and conjunctivitis were most common preceding infections in both groups. Among 8 cases of MRSA group, 4 cases were treated completely with ampicillin-sulbactam. There was no significant difference of mean duration of admission between MRSA group and MSSA group. Conclusion : There was no significant difference of clinical features between MRSA group and MSSA group although generalized types of SSSS were more common in MRSA group than in MSSA group.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (4S) is uncommon, but reports of 4S are on the increase during the recent years. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical features and associated factors of 4S during the recent 10 years. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and microbiologic results of 63 patients (27 neonates and 36 children) from January 1998 to December 2007. Results : Since 2003, the incidence of 4S has increased. The mean age of the patients was 16.3 months and the gender ratio was 1:1. The clinical types of 4S were 38 cases of the abortive type (60%), 19 cases of the intermediate type (30%) and 6 cases of the generalized type (10%). The culture results were 36 cases of Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 4 cases of Methicillin sensitive S. aureus and 17 cases of no growth. The patients were treated with semi-synthetic penicillin. For the 9 patients who had MRSA isolated and who didn't improve with penicillin, they were treated with vancomycin instead of penicillin. All the patients had no complications. 4S abruptly increased in 2005, and especially in neonates, due to an MRSA outbreak at a local nursery room. The associated factors of 4S in neonates were hospitalization (27 cases), including nursery infection in 2005 (18 cases) and dermatitis (1 case). There was an unknown origin for some children, and the suggested factors for their infection were community acquired infection (24 cases), atopic dermatitis (9 cases) and hospitalization (3 cases). Conclusion : 4S has recently been increasing. The major associated factors of 4S are a history of hospitalization, an outbreak in a nursery room, atopic dermatitis and community acquired infection.