• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2021

Many people reported suspected food poisoning after consuming food at the same snack bar on June 18, 2020. Thus, an in-depth epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the infectious agent and establish additional food poisoning prevention measures. The study included people who reported to the local public health center after June 18 with acute gastroenteritis symptoms within 4 days of consuming food from the snack bar. The onset of symptoms and food items consumed by individuals were then investigated via phone calls and on-site visits. Afterward, the infectious agent was identified from human samples (stool or rectal swab) of four restaurant employees and 89 people and from environmental samples (materials, cooking utensils, and water). The analysis revealed that the incubation period ranged from 2 hours to 92 hours, with a median and mode of 16 hours and 12 hours, respectively. Moreover, the epidemic curve had a unimodal shape because of common exposure, which reached its peak on June 18. After monitoring for 8 days, which is more than twice the maximum incubation period of 92 hours, the end of the epidemic was declared on June 28 as no additional cases were reported. Analysis of human and environmental samples revealed Salmonella bareilly of the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulsotype SAPX01.017 as the causative agent. Therefore, it was concluded that the food poisoning outbreak was caused by S. bareilly.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.310-316
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• 2019

Distribution of Salmonella enterica serovars and their associated virulence determinants is wide-spread among food animals, which are continuously implicated in periodic salmonellosis outbreaks globally. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the diversity of five Salmonella serovar virulence genes (invA, pefA, cdtB, spvC and iroN) isolated from food animals and humans. Using standard microbiological techniques, Salmonella spp. were isolated from the feces of humans and three major food animals. Virulence determinants of the isolates were assayed using PCR. Clonal relatedness of the dominant serovar was determined via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using the restriction enzyme, Xbal. Seventy one Salmonella spp. were isolated and serotyped into 44 serovars. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS; 68) accounted for majority (95.8%) of the Salmonella serovars. Isolates from chicken (34) accounted for 47.9% of all isolates, out of which S. Budapest (14) was predominant (34.8%). However, the dominant S. Budapest serovars showed no genetic relatedness. The invA gene located on SPI-1 was detected in all isolates. Furthermore, 94% of the isolates from sheep harbored the spvC genes. The iroN gene was present in 50%, 100%, 88%, and 91% of isolates from human, chicken, sheep, and cattle, respectively. The pefA gene was detected in 18 isolates from chicken and a single isolate from sheep. Notably, having diverse Salmonella serovars containing plasmid encoded virulence genes circulating the food chain is of public health significance; hence, surveillance is required.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.1460-1469
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• 2019

The extensive distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a threat to healthcare worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the MDR and molecular patterns of MRSA isolates in children admitted to the two biggest tertiary care pediatric hospitals in northern and southern Vietnam. A total of 168 MRSA strains were collected to determine antibiotic susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentration tests. Antibiotic-resistant genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and multilocus sequence typing were used for the molecular characterization of MRSA. Among the total strains, the MDR rate (51.8%) was significantly higher in the northern hospital than in the southern hospital (73% vs. 39%, p < 0.0001). The MDR-MRSA with the highest rates were "ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicintetracyclines" (35.6%), followed by "erythromycin-tetracycline-chloramphenicol" (24.1%), and "ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicin" (19.5%), showing an accumulative total of 79.3%. The most susceptible antibiotics were rifampicin (100%) and vancomycin (100%), followed by doxycycline (94.0%), meropenem (78.0%), and cefotaxime (75.0%). The SCCmecII strains showed greater resistance to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, meropenem and cephalosporins compared with the other strains. The SCCmecII strains exhibited the highest rate in the tested genes (aacA/aphD: 55.2%, ermA/B/C: 89.7%, and tetK/M: 82.8%). ST5-SCCmecII was the predominant clone in the northern hospital, whereas SCCmecIVa was more pronounced in the southern hospital. In conclusion, our results raised concerns about the predominant MDR-MRSA strains in the pediatric hospitals in Vietnam. The north-south difference in the antibiotic resistance patterns and genetic structure of MRSA suggests different MRSA origins and various uses of antimicrobial agents between the two regions.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.357-361
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• 2018

While carbapenems are the drug of choice to treat extended-spectrum-${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains, some alternative carbapenem-sparing regimens are suggested for antibiotic stewardship. We experienced a case of ciprofloxacin treatment failure for acute pyelonephritis caused by an apparently susceptible Escherichia coli. A 71-year-old woman presented the emergency department with fever for 7 days and bilateral flank pain for 2 days. The laboratory results and abdominopelvic computed tomography finding were compatible with acute pyelonephritis. During 3-day ciprofloxacin therapy, the patient remained febrile with persistent bacteremia. After the change in antibiotics to ertapenem, the patient's clinical course started to improve. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were identified in all three consecutive blood samples. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, serotypes, and sequence types showed the three isolates were derived from the identical strain. The isolates produced CTX-M-14 type ESBL belonging to the ST69 clonal group. Despite in vitro susceptibility, the failure was attributed to a gyrA point mutation encoding Ser83Leu within quinolone resistance-determining regions. This case suggests that ciprofloxacin should be used cautiously in the treatment of serious infections caused by ciprofloxacin-susceptible, ESBL-producing E. coli, even in acute pyelonephritis because in-vitro susceptibility tests could fail to detect certain genetic mutations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.1307-1314
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• 2022

In this study, we sought to investigate the various characteristics of Salmonella spp. isolated from raw chicken meats available in Korean markets. The data collected, such as food source of isolation, sampling information, serotype, virulence, and genetic profile including sequence type, were registered in the database for further comparative analysis of the strains isolated from the traceback investigation samples. To characterize serotype, virulence and gene sequences, we examined 113 domestically distributed chicken meat samples for contamination with Salmonella spp. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted on 24 strains (21.2%) of Salmonella isolated from 113 commercially available chicken meats and by-products, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Serotyping of the isolated Salmonella spp. revealed S. Enteritidis in 11 strains (45.8%), S. Virchow in 6 strains (25%), S. Montevideo in 2 strains (8.3%), S. Bsilla in 2 strains (8.3%), S. Bareilly in 1 strain (4.2%), S. Dessau in 1 strain (4.2%), and S. Albany in 1 strain (4.2%). The genetic correlation indicated that 24 isolated strains were classified into 18 clusters with a genetic similarity of 64.4-100% between them. Eleven isolated S. Enteritidis strains were classified into 9 genotypes with a sequence identity of 74.4%, whereas the most distantly related S. Virchow was divided into five genotypes with 85.9% identity. Here, the MLST analysis indicated that the major Sequence Type (ST) of the Salmonella spp. isolated from domestic chicken sold in Chungcheong Province belongs to the ST 11 and 16, which differs from the genotype of Salmonella isolated from imported chicken. The differential sequence characteristics can be a genetic marker for identifying causative bacteria for epidemiological investigations of food poisoning.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.67.1-67.8
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• 2024

Importance: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are emerging as a global public health risk. Therefore, assessing the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRE) in both humans and animals is important. Objective: We aimed to ascertain the occurrence and characteristics of CRE isolated from companion animals, dogs and cats. Methods: E. coli strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution technique. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. The molecular characteristics of CRE were determined using multi-locus sequence typing, replicon typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results: In total, 13 CRE isolates (0.13%) were identified from dogs possessing bla_NDM-5 along with β-lactamase genes, mostly blaCMY-2 (92.2%) and blaTEM-1 (53.8%). The commonly observed mutations were S83L and D87N in gyrA, S80I in parC, and S458A in parE. CRE carried non-beta-lactam resistance genes, with the majority being tet(B) (100%), sul (84.6%), and aac(3)-II (53.8%). Nine different PFGE patterns (P1-P9), IncX3-type plasmids (69.2%), and ST410 (84.6%) were predominantly detected. Conclusions and Relevance: This investigation provides significant insight into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of bla_NDM-5-carrying E. coli in dogs. The co-existence of bla_NDM-5 and other antimicrobial resistance genes in E. coli potentially poses severe health hazards to humans.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.24-33
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• 2009

2008년 9월 경상북도 영천시 소재 Y 지적장애인 특수학교에서 설사 유행이 신고되었고, 일부 환자의 검체에서 Shigella sonnei가 검출되었다. 이에 Y 학교와 초발 환자 신00이 기거하고 있던 경산시 소재 D 재활원에서 발생한 세균성이질에 관한 역학조사를 실시하였다. Y 학교와 D 재활원은 지적장애인을 위한 학교 및 생활시설로서 모두 직영급식을 하고 있다. 지적장애가 있는 학생과 원생들을 상대로 설문조사는 시행하지 않았고 교사와 직원들을 상대로 면담을 실시하였다. Y 학교와 D 재활원에서 직장 도말 검사를 각각 298건, 361건 실시하고 환경 검체 검사를 각각 60건, 20건을 실시하였다. 학교와 재활원의 환경조사를 실시하였고 음용수와 조리용수, 생활용수의 공급원을 파악하였다. 환자는 격리 치료하고 추가 환자 발생을 일일 능동 모니터링하였다. 환례는 2008년 9월 18일부터 9월 26일까지 Y 학교와 D 재활원의 구성원 중에서 설사(하루 2회 이상의 묽은 변)가 있는 경우 혹은 직장도말 배양검사 결과 Shigella sonnei 양성인 경우로 정의하였다. 환례 정의에 따라 조사 대상 659명 중 환례는 8명으로 1.2%의 발생률을 보였고 이들은 모두 Y 학교 학생이었다. 직장도말 배양검사 결과 Shigella sonnei가 5명의 학생에서 검출되었고, 이들 중 3명에서는 설사 증상이 있었으며 나머지 2명은 무증상이었다. 환례 8명 모두 단체숙식을 하고 있었는데 이들 중 2명은 Y 학교 기숙사 기린방에서 생활하였고, 4명은 D 재활원 온유방, 나머지 2명은 D 재활원의 까치방과 자비방에서 각각 생활하였다. Y 학교와 D 재활원의 환경조사 결과 특이사항이 없었으며, 공통적으로 음용수와 조리 용수는 상수도에서 공급받고 화장실의 생활용수는 하수도에서 공급받고 있었다. D 재활원의 지하수 1건에서 대장균군이 양성이면서 일반세균이 20,000 CFU/mL으로 나왔다. Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis 검사에서 5건 모두 동일한 DNA 절편 양식을 보였다. D 재활원과 Y 학교에서 발생한 세균성이질은 동일한 균주에 의한 유행으로 판단한다. D 재활원의 온유방에서 현성 또는 불현성 감염자인 교사나 자원봉사자와의 직 간접 접촉을 통해 최초로 1명 이상의 원생에게 전파시켰을 가능성이 있다. 그 후 환례들과 직 간접 접촉에 의하여 D 재활원의 온유방 내, 다른 방과 Y 학교 학생에게 전파되었을 가능성이 있다고 추정한다. 단체 시설의 교사와 자원봉사자에 대하여 손씻기의 중요성이 더 강조되어야 하고 전염이 가능한 증상이나 질병이 있을 때에는 접촉이나 봉사 활동을 자제해야 할 것이다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.525-531
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed to identify the epidemiological features of a food poisoning outbreak in a company cafeteria located in Chungcheongnam-do Province, Korea in June of 2020 and to suggest preventive measures for a similar incidence. Methods: A total of 84 patients with acute gastroenteritis were examined. Environmental samples were obtained from 16 food handlers, six food utensils, 135 preserved foods served over three days and nine menus, and six drinking water samples. These are analyzed to detect viruses and bacteria. Results: Ninety-four out of the 402 people who were served meals (23.4%) predominantly showed symptoms of diarrhea, and the number was over 3 times. Among the 84 patients under investigation, 17 cases (20.2%) were positive for Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and 18 cases were positive for Clostridium (C.) perfringens (21.4%). Based on the investigation, it was concluded that the main pathogens were EPEC and C. perfringens. For EPEC, it was detected in three of the food service employees and in the preserved food and curry rice. The results of pulsed field gel electrophoresis indicate that all EPEC cases are closely related except for one food service employee. Assuming that isolated EPEC originated from the preserved food, the incubation period is about 25 hours. The origin of the C. perfringens was not determined as it was not detected in the food service employees or environmental samples. Conclusions: This case suggests that food provided in group food service centers must be thoroughly managed. In addition, identifying the pathogens in preserved food is very important for tracing the causes of food poisoning, so food must be preserved in an appropriate condition. To prevent similar food poisoning cases, analyzing cases based on epidemiological investigation and sharing the results is needed.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.359-369
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• 2018

의료 관련 감염을 예방하기 위한 필수적 방법은 일관성이 있는 감염감시 시스템을 구축하고 효율적인 감시 통제를 수행하기 위해 신뢰할 수 있는 상황에 대해 진단을 향상시켜나가는 것이다. 또한 의료 종사자의 손과 의복 및 장비는 환자 관리 및 환경과 접촉하여 병원체가 오염되는 요인이다. 병원체를 가진 시설 표면(예: 침대 레일, 침대 옆 탁자), 음용수, 냉각탑용수, 내시경기구, 급식위생, 공기매개, 멸균검사, 내독소검사, 및 의료 장비를 포함한 의료 환경의 오염은 일반적으로 발생한다. 또한 이러한 감염원을 활동 감시를 통해 MLST, PFGE의 기법으로 역학분석을 수행한다. 따라서 HAI 예방을 위한 환경 감시배양 검사는 환자의 안전과 감염원의 차단을 향상시킬 뿐만 아니라 국가의 감염관리 시스템을 통제하여 최적의 효율적인 감염관리 예방을 가능케 하고 국가의 감염관리 시스템의 안전을 향상시킨다. 결론적으로 감시배양 검사의 표준화를 통해 실효성 있는 감염관리체계에 이바지하고 감염관리 전문인력으로서의 전문성을 확보하고자 한다. 이를 통해 표준화 마련의 일차적인 목표는 의료관련 감염을 줄이고 국가적 의료관리 체계를 향상시키는데 있다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.425-432
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• 2010

Staphylococcus intermedius is a common cause of otitis externa, pyoderma, and wound infections in companion animals. Although S. intermedius infections are rare in humans, it is zoonotic, with several case reports describing fatal human infections. Presently, we sought to isolate S. intermedius strains from various sources at animal hospitals nationwide in Korea, examine their antibiotic susceptibilities, and determine the possibility of horizontal transmission between animals and humans. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (pFGE) was used to compare the mecA gene in S. intermedius strains from humans, animals, and the environment in animal hospitals. A total of 119 S. intermedius strains were isolated from 529 samples. Using the disk diffusion method, over 90% of the isolates were found to be susceptible to cephalothin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, vancomycin, imipenem, nitroflurantoin, and amikacin, whereas 97.5% and 98.3% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin, respectively. Among the 39 S. intermedius strains harboring mecA, similar PFGE patterns were observed between seven isolates from an animal, two isolates from veterinary staff, and the environment in one animal hospital, and single isolates from an animal and a veterinarian at another hospital. This result suggests the possibility of horizontal transmission of S. intermedius containing mecA between humans, animals, and the environment in animal hospitals and also emphasizes on the importance of S. intermedius with mecA as a possible emerging threat to public health.