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

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.483-483
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• 2005

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.235-238
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• 2010

We present a case of tuberculous spondylitis in which diagnosis was masked by a concomitant pyogenic infection. The patient had undergone percutaneous needle aspiration of an abscess in the cavity of the psoas muscle. Early results from the culture regimen showed isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. After eight weeks, mycobacterium tuberculosis was grown at regimen which was cultured at the same site. Initial isolation of pyogenic bacteria, considered to be highly virulent organisms, led to delayed diagnosis and treatment of the tuberculosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.449-457
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• 2021

The aim of the present study was to survey the frequency of inducible and constitutive phenotypes and inducible cross-resistant genes by regulating the methylation of 23S rRNA (ermA, ermB, and ermC) and macrolide efflux-related msrA gene in Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis strains. A total of 172 bacterial isolates (identified based on standard tests), were examined in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method, and all isolates were evaluated with respect to inducible and constitutive phenotypes. The presence of ermA, ermB, ermC, and msrA genes was investigated by a PCR assay. The constitutive resistance phenotypes showed a higher distribution among the isolates. R phenotype was detected more among S. epidermidis isolates (46.25%). ermB, ermC, and msrA genes were detected more in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) isolates that had R and HD phenotypes (>77% strains). The ermA gene had the lowest frequency among MRSA, MRSE, MSSA, and MSSE strains (<14% isolates). Distribution of inducible resistance genes in MRSA and MRSE strains, and possibly other species, leads to increased constitutive resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, and other similar antibiotics. Therefore, it can be challenging to treat infections caused by these resistant strains.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.401-414
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• 2020

The emergence and persistence of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in livestock animals have been reported as a potential risk factor for transmission to humans. In this study, we investigated the nationwide prevalence and characteristics of MRSA and MSSA in the Korean beef production system, including retail markets, slaughterhouses, and cattle farms. From a total of 1,285 samples, only 5 MRSA strains were isolated: from a farmer (1 ST72 MRSA), a carcass sample from a slaughterhouse (1 ST72 MRSA), and beef cattle (3 ST5 MRSA). In addition, 11 MSSA strains were isolated from beef cattle (n=3), humans (1 farmer, 1 slaughterhouse worker, and 4 retail market workers), and carcass samples (n=1) and slaughterhouse environment (n=1). Although the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA in beef cattle was much lower than that reported in pigs, 5/5 MRSA and 2/11 MSSA strains displayed multiple drug resistance (MDR) phenotypes. Unlike the swine-associated MRSA, no correlation was found between tetracycline/zinc resistance and MDR phenotype. However, MRSA strains had an identical set of staphylococcal enterotoxins and exhibited enhanced levels of resistance to antimicrobial peptides (PMAP-36 and LL-37) compared to the MSSA strains. In conclusion, continued and systemic surveillance of livestock, meat products, and humans in close contact with livestock/meat products is necessary to prevent the transmission of MRSA and MSSA to humans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1288-1294
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• 2021

There are a growing number of reports of hospital-acquired infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Many plant products are now being used as a natural means of exploring antimicrobial agents against different types of human pathogenic bacteria. In this research, we sought to isolate and identify an active molecule from Sedum takesimense that has possible antibacterial activity against various clinical isolates of MRSA. NMR analysis revealed that the structure of the HPLC-purified compound was 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-glucose. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different extract fractions against numerous pathogenic bacteria was determined, and the actively purified compound has potent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria, i.e., MRSA and its clinical isolates. In addition, the combination of the active compound and β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., oxacillin) demonstrated synergistic action against MRSA, with a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of 0.281. The current research revealed an alternative approach to combating pathogenesis caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria using plant materials. Furthermore, using a combination approach in which the active plant-derived compound is combined with antibiotics has proved to be a successful way of destroying pathogens synergistically.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1284-1291
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• 2022

The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality, and clinical treatment of MRSA infections has become extremely difficult. Sortase A (SrtA), a virulence determinant that anchors numerous virulence-related proteins to the cell wall, is a prime druggable target against S. aureus infection due to its crucial role in the pathogenicity of S. aureus. Here, we demonstrate that isovitexin, an active ingredient derived from a variety of traditional Chinese medicines, can reversibly inhibit SrtA activity in vitrowith a low dose (IC₅₀=24.72 ㎍/ml). Fluorescence quenching and molecular simulations proved the interaction between isovitexin and SrtA. Subsequent point mutation experiments further confirmed that the critical amino acid positions for SrtA binding to isovitexin were Ala-92, Ile-182, and Trp-197. In addition, isovitexin treatment dramatically reduced S. aureus invasion of A549 cells. This study shows that treatment with isovitexin could alleviate pathological injury and prolong the life span of mice in an S. aureus pneumonia model. According to our research, isovitexin represents a promising lead molecule for the creation of anti-S. aureus medicines or adjuncts.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.97-98
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• 2024

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that can cause a wide range of illnesses both in humans and animals. Multidrug resistance phenotype is common, especially in healthcare-associated (HA) MRSA strains. Currently, one of the most prevalent HA-MRSA clonal lineages in Korean hospitals is sequence type (ST) 5 carrying staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type II (ST5-SCCmec II). Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an ST5 HA-MRSA strain (SA492) originated from a patient in Korea.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-209
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• 2009

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a severe systemic illness caused by toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. We report a case of staphylococcal TSS in a 16 month-old boy who presented with high fever, vomiting, skin rash, and shock after a burn injury. He was managed with intravenous vancomycin, fresh frozen plasma, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was isolated from the burn wound site and anterior nostril of the patient. In addition, the MRSA isolate was genetically characterized.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.376-382
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• 1999

A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolate was recovered from a 9-month-old female Shih-Tzu dog with canine distemper virus infection. We performed in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test to determine the most effective antimicrobial drug against the isolate and thus, to emphasize its potential clinical importance in animal practices. Isolate was confirmed MRSA by oxacillin agar screening test. The isolate was fully resistant to all $\beta$-lactam antibiotics and was susceptible to glycopeptides. Of the other antibiotics, mupirocin, TMP/SMZ (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and chloramphenicol showed inhibitory effect at the concentration of 4x MIC. The MICs ranged 0.25->$128{\mu}g/ml$, and MBCs ranged 0.5->$128{\mu}g/ml$. The combined TMP/SMZ with cefamandole or novobiocin showed synergistic effect, whereas the combination of novobiocin plus cefamandole or teicoplanin resulted in antagonistic effects. Although MRSA in animals so far has been reported in the geographically limited countries, at least theoretically, it could be occurred in the future more frequently through either human or animal origin. The use of this combination may be of value in this situation. As with all antimicrobial agents, inappropriate or unnecessarily prolonged therapy may contribute to the emergence of resistance strains and loss of efficacy.