• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2014

A biotransformation approach using microbes as biocatalysts can be an efficient tool for the targeted modification of existing antibiotic chemical scaffolds to create previously uncharacterized therapeutic agents. By employing a recombinant Streptomyces venezuelae strain as a microbial catalyst, a reduced macrolide, 10,11-dihydrorosamicin, was created from rosamicin macrolide. Its chemical structure was spectroscopically elucidated, and the new rosamicin analog showed 2-4-fold higher antibacterial activity against two strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus compared with its parent rosamicin. This kind of biocatalytic approach is able to expand existing antibiotic entities and can also provide more diverse therapeutic resources.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2015

In a previous report, we identified several candidate antimicrobial peptides through de novo RNA sequencing of the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. Here, we identify and characterize one of these peptides, Scolopendrasin I. We identified the centipede antimicrobial peptide Cecropin from the centipede transcriptome using an SVM algorithm, and subsequently analyzed the amino acid sequence for predicted secondary structure using a GOR algorithm. We identified an alpha helical region of Cecropin and named it Scolopendrasin I. We then assessed antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of Scolopendrasin I. Scolopendrasin I showed antimicrobial activity against various microbes, including antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, in a radial diffusion assay. Scolopendrasin I had potent antibacterial activity against acne-associated microbes in a colony count assay and showed no hemolytic activity in a hemolysis assay. In addition, we confirmed that Scolopendrasin I bound to the surface of bacteria via a specific interaction with lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide, two components of bacterial cell membranes. In conclusion, the results presented here provide evidence that this is an efficient strategy for antimicrobial peptide candidate identification and that Scolopendrasin I has potential for successful antibiotic development.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2007

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effects of herb for removing dampness and promoting urination against vaginal microbes. Methods : Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were used for vaginitis-induced microbes. Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coil HB101 were used for normal vaginal florae. And herbs for removing dampness and promoting urination(Dianthi herbs. Tokoro Rhizoma, Saururi Herbs, Pyrrosiae Folium, Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba, Plantaginis Semen, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Polygoni Avicularis Herba, Malvae Semen, Akebiae Caulis, Kochiae Fructus, Lygodii Spora) were used. Antimicrobial activities were estimated by the change of optical densities and colony test in vitro. Results : Plantaginis Semen, Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba and Lygodii Spora had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against MRSA and Gardnerella vaginalis. Polygoni Avicularis Herba had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA and Gardnerella vaginalis. Malvae Semen and Kochiae Fructus had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against MRSA. Dianthi Herba had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against Gardnerella vaginalis. Conclusion : According to these results, we can suggest that Plantaginis Semen, Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba, Lygodii Spora, Polygoni Avicularis Herba, Malvae Semen, Kochiae Fructus and Dianthi Herba would be available to the antimicrobial agent for vaginitis-induced microbe in vitro.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.330-336
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• 2000

A large number of streptococci that do not fit readily into any of the established classification schemes have been relegated to a large heterogeneous group called the Streptococcus viridans, which are members of the normal flora of the mucous membranes of the body, including the oral cavity, the nasopharynx, and genitourinary tract. This group includes S. mitis, S. oralis, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. milleri, etc. Surveying on the literature, it has been reported that infective endocarditis, meningitis, rhabdomyolysis, cholangitis, appendicitis caused by Streptococcus viridans, which were the most important pathogen in children with malignant hematologic disease. Various antibiotics has been chosen for treatment or prophylaxis for these infections, but were generally lower antimicrobial susceptibilities because of an abuse of antibiotics and advent of resistant group. Therefore, surveillant culture must be performed to evaluate personal antimicrobial susceptibilities of intraoral microbes for proper antimicrobial choice for dental procedures. This study examined sampling from subgingival plaque of 60 chidren's microbes. The cultured bacterial isolates, Streptococcus viridans were examined 10 antimicrobial drugs with the Kirby-Bauer agar disk diffusion method. The used drugs were Penicillin, Ampicillin, Oxacillin, Cephalothin, Imipenem, Gentamicin, Erythromycin, Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin. The results were as follows : 1. Sampling Streptococcus viridans were S. mitis(65%), S. oralis(22%), S. sanguis(5%), S. intermedius(3%), S. salivarius(2%), S acidominimus(2%), Unidentified streptococcus(2%). 2. The antimicrobial susceptibility of total Streptococcus viridans : Oxacillin< Erythromycin< Pencillin=Ciprofloxacin< Cephalothin< Ampicillin< Clindamycin< Gentamicin< Imipenem=Vancomycin. 3. The antimicrobial susceptibility of S. mitis : Oxacillin=Erythromycin< Ciprofloxacin< Cephalothin< Penicillin=Ampicillin< Gentamicin< Clidamycin< Imipenem=Vancomycin. 4. The antimicrobial susceptibility of S. oralis : Oxacillin< Erythromycin< Penicillin=Ciprofloxacin=Clindamycin< Cephalothin=Gentamicin< Ampicillin< Imipenem=Vancomycin. 5. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial susceptibility among each Streptococcus viridans group.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.711-722
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to determine the antimicrobial susceptibilities of 716 bacterial strains among 1,104 microbes which were isolated in blood culture from 13,595 in-patients and out-patients in K hospital during the pe-riod of 1993 to 1996. The results obtained were as follows : The isolation rate of microbes from the blood culture for 3 years was 8.1% (1,104/13,595). Among 716 bacte-rial strains, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were 29.8% (213) and 19.5% (140) respectively. The bacterial isolation frequency according to ages was high at fifties, sixties and two or less years old groups, especially the isolation rate of S. epidermidis was 47% at two or less years old group and that of Salmonella typhi was 36% at thirties years old group. The seasonal isolation rate of the bacterial species except E. coli was high during May to September. Gram positive cocci were resistant to penicillin-G except Enterococcus faecalis, but susceptible to vanco-mycin and teicoplanin. Gram negative bacilli were susceptible to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem, but resistant to ampicillin except S. typhi. These results indicate that bacterial strains isolated from bacteremia patients were resis-tant to penicillins, but susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and imipenem.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2007

The release of genetically modified organisms ($GMO_{s}$) into the environment has the potential risks regarding the possibility of gene transfer from $GMO_{s}$ to natural organisms and this needs to be evaluated. This study was conducted to monitor the possible horizontal gene transfer from herbicide-resistant zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) to indigenous microorganisms. We have first examined the effect of field-released GM zoysiagrass on the microbial flora in the gut of locust (Locusts mlgratoria). The microbial flora was analyzed through determining the 165 rDHA sequences of microorganisms. The comparison of the microbial flora in the gut of locusts that were captured at the field of GM zoysiagrass and of wild-type revealed that there is no noticeable difference between these two groups. This result indicates that the GM zoysiagrass does not have negative impact on microbial flora in the gut of locust. We then investigated whether the horizontal gene transfer occurred from GM zoysiagrass to microbes in soil, rhizosphere and faecal pellets from locusts by utilizing molecular tools such as Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the total DNAs isolated from microbes in GM zoysiagrass and in wild-type zoysiagrass fields were hybridized with probes for bar or hpt gene, no hybridization signal was detected from both field isolates, while the probes were hybridized with DNA from the positive control. Absence of these genes in the FNAs of soil microorganisms as well as microbes in the gut of locust was further confirmed by PCR. Taken together, our data showed that horizontal gene transfer did not occur in this system. These results further indicate that frequencies of transfer of engineered plant DNA to bacteria are likely to be negligible.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2017

Background: The study was conducted to investigate the distributions of faecal bacteria in commercial oriental medicine herb products. Methods and Results: A survey was conducted on the microbial contamination levels and antimicrobial specificity of Bacillus cereus and other microbes using 106 oriental medicine herb products on sale in Seoul. Pouring and isolation methods such as standard plate counts were used to identify the bacteria. The isolated bacterias included coliforms, Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria spp.were identified by using gram staining and an API (analytical profile index) kit. Antimicrobial drugs discs were determined by CLSI (clinical and laboratory standards institute). Conclusions: The bacterial isolates present in the herbal medicines included 98 coliforms, 45 Bacillus spp., 29 Enterococcus spp., and 2 Listeria spp. Among these, there were nine Bacillus cereus strains, one Enterococcus faecium strain, and one Enterococcus faecalis strain present. The 9 Bacillus cereus strains were tested for susceptibility to 36 types of antibiotics products by the disc diffusion method. The strains showed resistance to 13 of these antibiotic products and semi-resistance to 5 antibiotic products. On the basis of these results, any oriental medicine herb product can be assumed to be contain resistant or semi-resistant bacterial strains. Therefore, we suggest prescribing guidelines and special management for the use of antibiotics in farms producing oriental medicine herb products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.391-399
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• 2011

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are known to have bacteriocidal activity and are important components of the innate immune system. Many FFAs are naturally present in human and animal skin, breast milk, and in the bloodstream. Here, the therapeutic potential of FFAs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is demonstrated in cultures and in mice. Among a series of FFAs, only oleic acid (OA) (C18:1, cis-9) can effectively eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) through cell wall disruption. Lauric acid (LA, C12:0) and palmitic acid (PA, C16:0) do not have this ability. OA can inhibit growth of a number of Gram-positive bacteria, including hospital and community-associated MRSA at a dose that did not show any toxicity to human sebocytes. The bacteriocidal activities of FFAs were also demonstrated in vivo through injection of OA into mouse skin lesions previously infected with a strain of MRSA. In conclusion, our results suggest a promising therapeutic approach against MRSA through boosting the bacteriocidal activities of native FFAs, which may have been co-evolved during the interactions between microbes and their hosts.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.360-366
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• 2012

Background: Carbapenem-resistance is rapidly evolving among the pathogenic microbes in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to determine annual trend of carbapenem-resistance in the ICU for 4 years, since the opening of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, microbial samples from consecutive 6,772 patients were screened in the ICU. Three hundred and ninety-seven patients (5.9%) and their first isolates of carbapenem-resistant pathogens were analyzed. Results: The percentage of patients infected with carbapenem-resistant organisms increased constantly during the initial three years (2.3% in 2005, 6.2% in 2006, 7.8% in 2007), then it declined to 6.5% in 2008. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score at admission was $58.0{\pm}23.5$, the median length of the ICU stay was 37 days, and the mortality rate was 37.5%. The sampling sites were endotracheal suction (67%), catheterized urine (17%), wound (6%) and others (10%). Bacteria with carbapenem-resistance were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (247 isolates, 62%), Acinetobacter baumannii (117 isolates, 30%), Enterobacteriaceae (12 isolates, 3%), and others (21, 5%). Of note, peak isolation of carbapenem-resistant microorganisms in medical ICU was followed by the same epidemic at surgical ICU. Conclusion: Taken together, carbapenem-resistant pathogens are of growing concern in the ICU.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2008

Purpose : For the number of microbes and the pollution level of bacteriology of IP Cassette and Table by laboratories, after identifying the bacteria before and after using alcohol and tissue including disinfectant and statistically testing, this research was intended to provide the basic data for the prevention and the right disinfection guideline for infection management of hospitals in diagnostic radiology. Subject and Method : The subject of this research was the general room of diagnostic radiology of a university hospital in Daejeon City. The research was conducted from Apr 5 to Apr 12, 2007. The number of microbes and the pollution level of bacteriology of IP Cassette and Table by laboratories were tested before and after using alcohol and tissue for disinfection including disinfectant. In order to collect specimens exactly, they were collected with the nurse who specialized in infection management of the hospital, and statistical processing was done with SPSS V13.0. To compare the results before and after using alcohol and tissue, T-test was implemented, and post-hoc test was conducted. Results : Bacteria were detected in 19 cases of 24 subjects(79.2%), however, they were not detected in 5 cases(20.8%). 7kinds of bacteria were detected as isolated bacteria, of which Methicillin Resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci(MRCNS) were detected in 15 cases(62.5%), which was most, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus(MRSA) in 6 cases(16.7%), Enterococcus Faecium(EFM) in 5 cases(20.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii(ABA) in 2 cases(8.3%), and Bacillus sp, Coagulase-negative Staphylococci(CNS), and Enterococcus sp(ENT) in 1 case, respectively(4.2%). In all bacteria except ABA, Gram positive bacillia were detected in 30 cases(97%), and Gram negative bacilli were detected only in 1 case(3%). As for the kinds of bacteria and the number of groups before and after using 70% Alcohol by Groups, when the bacteria were identified after disinfecting IP Cassette and Table with 70% Alcohol, all the bacteria became extinct in both IP Cassette and Table Group(100%). As for the kinds and number of bacteria before and after using Tissue Cleaner by Groups, the bacteria in Tissue Cleaner Group became completely extinct only in 10 Groups(71.2%), and in 4 Groups, there was much decrease in bacteria, however, they were still detected. The extinction rate of all the bacteria was 91.5%. That is, though the other bacteria became extinct(100%), that of MRCNS bacteria was lowest(83.6%), followed by MRSA(95%). Conclusion : As a result of comparing the mean of the bacteria which were detected before and after using 70% Alcohol and Tissue Cleaner, there was statistically significant in the significant level of 5% in both of them.