• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.100-103
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• 2002

Streptococcus milleri Goup Bacteria(SMG) comprise three species, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus constellatus. Although they are commensal organism, they can be pathogenic. SMG can be aggressive pathogen in the head and neck with a propensity for abscess formation and local extension of the infection. SMG is culturally and biochemically variable, which makes it hard for the clinicians to recognize it. Hence, it seems that this organism has been relatively neglected. Most of the Lancefield F streptococci are SMG. We report one patient who had Group F streptococcal bacteremia and subdural abscess. According to his medical history, he was diagnosed as membranoproliperative glomerulonephritis three years ago. He complained headache although he was treated by appropiate antibiotics. Brain CT was used as a tool to identify the brain abscess. He had surgical drainage and was treated with IV antibiotics postoperatively.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sonication technique for microbiological diagnosis and the sterility of the recycled autoclaved femoral components from infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a sonication method. Methods: Nineteen femoral implants explanted from patients with infected TKA were sterilized with a standard autoclave method. Standard culture of the fluid before and after sonication of the sterilized implants was performed to detect pathogenic microorganisms. Additional experiments were performed to evaluate the sterility of the recycled implant by inducing artificial biofilm formation. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was inoculated into 10 implants and sterilization in a standard autoclave was performed, and then the fluid was cultured before and after sonication. Results: Two of the 19 sterilized implants were positive for growth of bacteria after sonication, whereas no growth was detected in the cultured fluid from the sterilized implants before sonication. The bacteria were Staphylococcus species in all two cases. In one of 10 implants inoculated with MRSA, the culture was positive for growth of bacteria both before and after sonication. However, Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from both occasions and thus this implant was thought to be contaminated. Conclusions: We found sonication for identification of pathogens could be helpful, but this finding should be interpreted carefully because of the possibility of contamination. Sterilization of an infected femoral implant with an autoclave method could be a good method for using the temporary articulating antibiotic spacer in two-stage revision arthroplasty.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.448-457
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Improved knowledge of local epidemiology and predicting risk factors of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are required to optimize the management of infections. This study examined local epidemiology and antibiotic resistance patterns of liver cirrhosis (LC) patients and evaluated the predictors of MDR bacteremia in Korea. Methods: This was a retrospective study including 140 LC patients diagnosed with bacteremia between January 2017 and December 2022. Local epidemiology and antibiotic resistance patterns and the determinants of MDR bacteremia were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The most frequently isolated bacteria, from the bloodstream, were Escherichia coli (n = 45, 31.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 35, 24.6%). Thirty-four isolates (23.9%) were MDR, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli (52.9%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%) were the most commonly isolated MDR bacteria. When Enterococcus spp. were cultured, the majority were MDR (MDR 83.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.003), particularly vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium. Antibiotics administration within 30 days and/or nosocomial infection was a significant predictor of MDR bacteremia (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.24-9.27, p = 0.02). MDR bacteremia was not predicted by sepsis predictors, such as positive systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). Conclusions: More than 70% of strains that can be treated with a third-generation cephalosporin have been cultured. In cirrhotic patients, antibiotic administration within 30 days and/or nosocomial infection are predictors of MDR bacteremia; therefore, empirical administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be considered when these risk factors are present.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1718-1726
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• 2024

Development of novel antibacterial agents is imperative due to the increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This study aimed to develop the enhanced antibacterial activity and in-vivo efficacy of a novel truncated endolysin, CHAP^SAP26-161, derived from the endolysin Lys^SAP26, against multidrug-resistant bacteria. CHAP^SAP26-161 exhibited higher protein purification efficiency in E. coli and antibacterial activity than Lys^SAP26. Moreover, CHAP^SAP26-161 showed the higher lytic activity against A. baumannii with minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of 5-10 ㎍/ml, followed by Staphylococcus aureus with MBCs of 10-25 ㎍/ml. Interestingly, CHAP^SAP26-161 could lyse anaerobic bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile, with MBCs of 25-50 ㎍/ml. At pH 4-8 and temperatures of 4℃-45℃, CHAP^SAP26-161 maintained antibacterial activity without remarkable difference. The lytic activity of CHAP^SAP26-161 was increased with Zn²⁺. In vivo tests demonstrated the therapeutic effects of CHAP^SAP26-161 in murine systemic A. baumannii infection model. In conclusion, CHAP^SAP26-161, a truncated endolysin that retains only the CHAP domain from Lys^SAP26, demonstrated enhanced protein purification efficiency and antibacterial activity compared to Lys^SAP26. It further displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial effects against S. aureus, A. baumannii, and C. difficile. Our in vitro and in-vivo results of CHAP^SAP26-161 highlights its promise as an innovative therapeutic option against those bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.976-985
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the present situation of hospital infection and route of infection by clarifying the transmission aspect of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit by analysing genotype. Methods: MRSA was cultured from twenty five patients with a tracheostomy, twenty five health care workers, and environments in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit of one hospital in D city. Data was collected from December 21, 2004 to November 5, 2005. MRSA isolates representing each genotype were analyzed by spaA typing and a multiplex PCR method capable of identifying the structural type of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec) carried by the bacteria. Results: As the same genotype and gene sequence were found among health care workers, patients, and environments, it was assumed that there was cross transmission among them. Conclusion: This study suggests that first, as the hospital infection by MRSA between health care workers and patients in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit was due to result of cross transmission and the relevance of transmission between them was verified, it is necessary to take preventive measures and conduct education. Secondly, development of nursing interventions and study of infection are needed. Thirdly, consistent investment in prevention against hospital infections and environmental renovation is needed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.776-787
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• 2009

T helper (Th) 17 cells have recently been described as a third subset of T helper cells, and have provided new insights into the mechanisms that are important in the development of autoimmune diseases and the immune responses that are essential for effective antimicrobial host defense. Both protective and harmful effects of Th17 responses during infection have been described. In general, Th17 responses are critical for mucosal and epithelial host defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi. However, recent studies have reported that Th17 responses can also contribute to viral persistence and chronic inflammation associated with parasitic infection. It has become evident that the type of microorganisms and the setting in which they trigger the Th17 response determines the outcome of the delicate balancethat exists between Th17 induced protection and immunopathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.5-8
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• 2001

Prevalence of Helicobacter infection in pet dogs and positive relations between the presence of Helicobacter app. and gastritis were studied. Twenty-one dogs, which died of various disease, were referred from three animal hospitals and necropsied. Upon histopathological examination, Helicobacter-like organisms (HLO) were observed only in the gastric mucosa of 5 (23.5%) out of the 21 stomachs. The bacteria mainly colonized in the mucus, gastric pits, and the lumen of gastric glands. Regardless of HLO infection, there was mild to moderate lymphocytic infiltration in fundic and pyloric mucosa. Average gastritis scores of the group infected with HLO were 1.250${\pm}$0.214 and 1.833${\pm}$0.167 in the fundic and pyloric mucosa, whereas those of uninfected group were 1.000${\pm}$0.165 and 1.625${\pm}$0.239, respectively. Accordingly, we concluded that no association exists between HLO infection and gastritis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to assess the Clinical Usefulness of Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA) immunochromatographic assay for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. In this study, we had compared HpSA-immunochromatographic assay with CLO test and UBT test. From a total of 140 patients (M:F=88:52) with upper endoscopy, biopsy specimens were obtained for CLO test. Stool specimens was collected from all patients and tested using a HpSA-immunochromatic assay. H. pylori infection status was defined as infected if the results of both CLO test and UBT test were positive. CLO test and UBT test findings showed that 92 patients were H. pylori positive and 48 patients were H. pylori negative. According to this definition, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive or negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of HpSA-immunochromatographic assay were 97.8%, 100%, 100%, and 96%, respectively. Cross reactivity test of HpSA-immunochromatographic assay were performed with 10 enteric bacteria strains in fecal habitat, and there were no false positive reaction. We evaluated the usefulness of HpSA assay for eradication therapy with 10 of 92 H. pylori positive patients, positive results of them at pre-eradication therapy were converted to negative at post-eradication. The HpSA-immunochromatographic assay is a highly sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic method for detection of H. pylori infection, a useful diagnostic method for H. pylori in post eradication stage.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.587-593
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• 2021

Infertility is a key issue affecting mood and behavior in men. Microorganisms are one of the primary etiological agents that may be associated with infertility. The objective of the present study was to identify bacterial causative agents from the semen of infertile subjects and determine the effect of bacterial infection on sperm quality, as well as determine the susceptibility of these bacteria to drugs. Forty semen samples from 30 infertile patients and 10 fertile individuals were collected. The pH, volume, motility, and concentration of semen were analyzed. The samples were processed and identified by biochemical testing using API identification kits. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined using the disc diffusion method. Abnormal sperm quality was observed. The mean age of the individual and their sperm morphology, concentration, progressive motility, pH level, and pus cell content were 31.9 years, 2.7%, 10.4 million/ml, 27.3%, 8.3, and 5.7, respectively. Among the tested samples, oligoasthenozoospermia was found to show the highest occurrence, at 27/30 samples, followed by teratozoospermia, at 25/30 samples, and asthenozoospermia, at 22/30 samples. Of the tested infertile patients' sperm, 19, 6, and 5 isolates were identified as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. The results also revealed multi-drug resistance in the bacteria. Compared to that shown by the other tested antibiotics, amikacin showed higher activity against all isolated bacteria. However, the bacteria exhibited maximum resistance against gentamicin, cefotaxime, levofloxacin, and ampicillin. In conclusion, leukocytospermia and bacterial infections are possibly responsible for sperm abnormalities. Multi-drug resistant bacteria were detected. Gentamicin, cefotaxime, levofloxacin and ampicillin were shown the highest resistance, while amikacin was the most effective antimicrobial agent against the isolated bacteria.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.26-35
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• 1997

Background : Glycopeptide antibiotics are the only drugs for treatment of infections due to beta-lactam-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. As the incidence of infection and colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE) rapidly increases, the hospital infection control practices advisory committee(HICPAC) recommends prudent vancomycin use to detect, prevent and control infection and colonization with VRE. Methods : The inpatients admitted from September to December, 1996 in Pusan National University Hospital, with Gram-positive bacterial infections were evaluated retrospectively to see whether the administrations of glycopeptide antibiotics were appropriate or not, upon comparison with the recommendations for preventing the spread of vancomycin resistance by HICPAC. Results : Teicoplanin has been chosen more frequently than vancomycin of the glycopeptide antibiotics. The indications of administration of glycopeptides in patients with pneumonia, wound infections, sepsis, and in febrile or neutropenic patients with malignancies were appropriate, but the use of glycopeptides for elimination of merely colonized bacteria in the oral cavity could not be excluded. Inappropriate use of glycopeptides was 10.6%, and inappropriately long-term use without positive culture for beta-lactam-resistant Gram-positive organisms was about 40% of total days of drug use. Conclusion : It seems essential for the quality assurance committee to make a plan in teaching the HICPAC recommendations to the medical practitioners who prescribed the glycopeptides inappropriately or used for irrelevantly long to his patient, monitor and survey their use of glycopeptides prospectively and periodically, and if there are repeated inappropriate prescriptions, a certain penalty would be given to the practitioners.