• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2004

Cranberries have long been used by lay people to relieve the symptoms of urinary tract infections. Recent research has determined that the component of cranberry called proanthocyanidin (PAC) is the primary mechanism for inhibiting P-fimbriated E.coli adhesion to uroepithelial cells in vitro. A series of experiments were performed to determine the effects of PAC on growth and adhesion of uropathogenic E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus to urinary catheter material. The results showed that PAC-inhibited binding of Gram positive S. aureus to collagen coated surfaces and significantly decreased the growth of these bacteria. P-fimbriated E.coli did not bind well to the biomaterial and their growth was unaffected by the cranberry extract with the exception of some loss in viability at 1000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL after 5 to 18 hours of exposure. This is the first report of the potential for cranberries to interfere with the adhesion and growth of S. aureus, a multi-drug resistant organisms responsible for morbidity and mortality especially in hospitalized patients.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.33-49
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was conducted to measure the effects of healthcare accreditation (HA) on the changes in infection control (IC). Methods : Questionnaires were e-mailed to 60 hospitals from 23 October to 23 December, 2011. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0. Results : Finally 50 hospitals (83.0%) were enrolled in the study: Seoul area (40.0%), tertiary (76.0%), and >500 beds (98.0%). Nine hospitals (18.0%) had a full time infection control nurse[ICN] with 300 beds. Among various factors, ICN (36.0%), hospital facilities (66.0%), instruments (32.0%) and supplies (88.0%) all improved. Hand hygiene increased (53.1% vs 83.2%, p<.001), but it was continued only in 34.1% of hospitals. Healthcare-associated infection (68.4%), multi drug resistant organisms (42.1%) and outbreaks (26.3%) decreased. Reasons for difficulties in satisfying the HA standards were inadequate support which included hospital facilities, instruments, budget, and a shortage of ICNs and healthcare workers (HCWs). Conclusions : HA had effects on the IC, but they were transient. Staffing in ICN and HCW staffing, hospital facilities, instruments, and supplies all need to be improved.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.172-181
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• 2009

Purpose: To identify trends in causative bacterial organisms for neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial susceptibilities over 10 years in one neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of culture-proven neonatal sepsis between January 1998 and December 2007. The 10-year period was divided into two phases (phase I, 1998-2002; phase II, 2003-2007) to distinguish the differences during the entire period. Results: Total 350 episodes of neonatal sepsis were identified in 315 neonates. The common pathogens of early-onset sepsis were S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. cloacae in phase I, and S. epidermidis and E. cloacae in phase II. In cases of late-onset sepsis, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae were isolated frequently in both phases. The incidence of sepsis caused by multi-drug resistant organisms decreased with strict infection control. Gram positive organisms showed 0-20% susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, and cefotaxime in both phases. Sensitivity to amikacin for Enterobacter spp. increased, whereas P. aeruginosa showed decreased sensitivity in phase II. Between 50% and 60% of other gram negative bacteria, except P. aeruginosa, were susceptible to cefotaxime in phase II in contrast to phase I. Greater than 80% of gram negative bacteria were sensitive to imipenem except P. aeruginosa and ciprofloxacin in both phases. Conclusion: The trend in causative microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibilities can be used as a guideline for selection of appropriate antibiotics. A particular attention should be paid to infection control, especially to reduce sepsis caused by multi-drug resistant organisms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.676-683
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• 2000

Background : Surgery may have a role when medical treatment alone is not successful in patients with multidrug resistant (MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). To document the role of resection in MDR PTB, we analyzed 4 years of our experience. Methods : A retrospective review was performed on thirteen patients that underwent pulmonary resection for MDR PTB between May 1996 and February 2000. All patients had organisms resistant to many of the first-line drugs including isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RFP). Results : The thirteen patients were $37.5{\pm}12.4$ years old (mean${\pm}$S.D.)(M : F=5:8), and their sputum was culture positive even with adequate medication for prolonged periods ($109.7{\pm}132.0$ months), resistant to 2-8 drugs including isoniazid and rifampin. All patients had localized lesion(s) and most (92.3%) had cavities. At least 3 sensitive anti-TB medications were started before surgery in all patients according to the drug sensitivity test. The preoperative $FEV_1$ was $2.37{\pm}0.83$ L. Lobectomy was performed in 11 patients and pleuropneumonectomy in two. Postoperative mortality did not occur, but pneumonia occurred as a complication in one (7.7%). After $41.5{\pm}58.9$ days (range 1~150 days) follow up, negative conversion of sputum culture was achieved in all patients within 5 months. Only one patient (7.7%) recurred 32 months after lung resection. Conclusion : When medical treatment alone is not successful, surgical resection can be a good treatment option in patients with localized MDR PTB.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.402-413
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• 2001

Food safety is a term broadly applied to food quality that may adversely affect human health. These include zoonotic diseases and acute and chronic effects of ingesting natural and human-made xenobiotics. There are two major areas of concern over the presence of residues of antibiotics in animal-derived foodstuffs with regard to human health. The first is allergic reactions. Some antibiotics, such as penicillins can evoke allergic reactions even though small amounts of them are ingested or exposed by parenteral routes. The second is development of antibiotic resistance in gut bacteria of human. Recently multi-resistant pneumococcal, glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and gram negative bacteria with extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamases have spread all over the world, and are now a serious therapeutic problem in human. Although it is evident that drugs are required in the efficient production of meat, milk and eggs, their indiscriminate use should never be substituted for hygienic management of farm. Drug should be used only when they are required. In addition to veterinary drugs, environmental contaminants that were contaminated in feed, water and air can make residues in animal products. Mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals derived from industries can be harmful both to animal and human health. Most of organic contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, and metals are persistent in environment and biological organisms and can be accumulated in fat and hard tissues. Some of them are suspected to have endocrine disrupting, carcinogenic, teratogenic, immunodepressive and nervous effects. The governmental agencies concerned make efforts to prevent residue problems; approval of drugs including withdrawal times of each preparation of drugs, establishment of tolerances, guidelines regarding drug use and sanitation enforcement of livestock products. National residue program is conducted to audit the status of the chemical residues in foods. Recently HACCP has been introduced to promote food safety from farm to table by reducing hazardous biological, chemical and physical factors. Animal Production Food Safety Program, Quality Assurance Programs, Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank are para- or non-governmental activities ensuring food safety. This topic will cover classification and usage or sources of chemical residues, their adverse effects, and chemical residue status of some countries. Issues are expanded to residue detection methodologies, toxicological and pharmacokinetic backgrounds of MRL and withdrawal time establishments, and the importance of non-governmental activities with regard to reducing chemical residues in food.