• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2016

An enterococci selective medium was developed to detect the presence of enterococci for use as a fecal contamination indicator. Among several media which have been known to detect enterococci, the following 9 different kinds of media were selected: Enterococci Confirmatory agar, Azide dextrose agar, Bromocresol-purple azide agar, Esculin bile agar, Citrate azide tween carbonate agar, KF Streptococcus agar, BROLACIN agar, Kanamycin esculin azide agar, and Membrane filter Enterococcus selective agar. Various components from the nine media were mixed to develop a more effective enterococcus selective medium. The newly developed medium named as 'Enterococcus Mixed medium' was more effective than the previous 9 media. Enterococci strains (Enterococcus avium KACC 10788, Enterococcus faecium KACC 11954, Enterococcus saccharolyticus KACC 10783, Enterococcus durans KACC 10787, Enterococcus faecalis KACC 11304, and Enterococcus hirae KACC 10779) and non-enterococci strains (Escherichia coli KACC 10005, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus KACC 10768, and Bacillus subtilis KACC 10111) were used to test the new medium. As a result, the enterococci strains grew well on the Enterococcus Mixed medium whereas the non-enterococci strains did not grow well on it. Additionally, growth of enterococci with freshwater and seawater samples was observed to be good on the Enterococcus Mixed medium. The result of this study confirmed that the Enterococcus Mixed medium was effective in detecting the target enterococci.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.714-720
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• 2012

To evaluate the antibiotic risk of $Enterococcus$ in fermented soy paste, $Enterococcus$ spp. were isolated and identified from 31 $Cheongkukjang$ and 17 $Doenjang$, samples. Exactly 123 $Enterococcus$ spp., 119 from $Cheongkukjang$ and four from $Doenjang$, were ultimately isolated. The most frequently collected $Enterococcus$ isolates in $Cheongkukjang$ were 69 strains of $E.$ $faecium$ and 20 strains of $E.$ $faecalis$. All four $Enterococcus$ spp. from $Deonjang$ were identified as $E.$ $faecium$. All isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, penicillin, and tetracyclin $E.$ However, they showed broad spectra from sensitivity to resistance to erythromycin, ripampin, and streptomycin. Vancomycin minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of $Enterococcus$ spp. from $Cheongkukjang$ ranged from 0.25 to 8 ${\mu}g/mL$. Almost all strains were sensitive to vancomycin, but eight strains showed intermediate resistance to vancomycin. Seventeen strains showing the highest MIC of 8 ${\mu}g/mL$ among all isolates were evenly distributed among $E.$ $faecalis$, $E.$ $faecium$, $E.$ $gallinarum$, and $E.$ $casselifalvus$, in which the strong resistant genes of $van$A and $van$B for vancomycin were not detected. Overall antibiotic resistance of $Enterococcus$ isolates was relatively low and particularly low vancomycin resistance was similar to those of $Enterococcus$ isolates obtained from other foods. Therefore, the antibiotics resistance of $Enterococcus$ and especially vancomycin-resistant $Enterococcus$ spp. from $Cheongkukjang$ and $Doenjang$, is not hazardous.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2022

Enterococcus species have been reported to produce unique flavoring ingredients in fermented dairy products. Generally, they were found in cheese and fermented dairy products. Enterococcus spp. produce extracellular polysaccharides and reduce blood cholesterol levels in humans. This study used heat-killed E. faecalis and E. faecium in yogurt production to increase safety during consumption. The addition of heat-killed E. faecalis and E. faecium to milk did not affect the fermentation time of yogurt production, the growth of starter cultures, and the viscosity of yogurt. These results concluded that heat-killed Enterococcus, rather than live Enterococcus, is sufficiently possible and even safer to be added to milk products. Enterococcus species could be used as a safe and functional food additive to fermented milk products and supplements in health foods.

• 한국방재학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.827-830
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• 2008

Enterococcus is a fecal indicator bacterium and often used to indicate fecal contamination in the environment. Carbohydrates fermentation patterns of Enterococcus isolates were investigated as a way to differentiate the source of fecal contamination. Total 1826 Enterococcus isolates were obtained from cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, and humans in two geographically different locations. Distributions of carbohydrate fermentation patterns showed discrepancies among sources. This study suggest that the possibility of the use of Enterococcus in microbial source tracking.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.470-476
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• 2007

To evaluate the vancomycin resistance of Enterococcus spp. (VRE) from Saengsik and Sunsik, Enterococcus were isolated and identified from 25 Saengsik and 35 Sunsik samples, and resistance of Enterococcus to other antibiotics was also assessed. Thirty nine Enterococcus, 16 strains from Saengsik, and 23 strains from Sunsik, were ultimately isolated. The most frequently collected Enterococcus isolates in Saengsik were E. casseliflavus and E. hirae, and were E. casseliflavus and E. faecium in Sunsik. However, E. faecalis was not detected in those foods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin against the isolates were below $4\;{\mu}g/mL$ and no strains evidenced profound levels of resistance. The isolates were found to be susceptible to vancomycin with the exception of eight E. casseliflavus and three E. gallinarum. All Enterococcus isolates proved resistant to streptomycin and chloramphenicol. 23% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin; however, all of the isolates were sensitive to tetracycline. Six and 48%, respectively, of the strains from the Saengsik and Sunsik proved resistant to erythromycin. All of E. mundtii and E. hirae isolates from Saengsik, and 20% of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus isolates from Sunsik were found to be ampicillin-resistant. All of E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, and E. faecium were rifampin-resistant. The antibiotic resistances of Enterococcus were relatively low, and this low vancomycin resistance was similar to that evidenced by Enterococcus isolates obtained from the other foods. However, there may be a need for some review of the accepted antibiotics criteria for Enterococcus and VRE in ready-to-eat foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1128-1137
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the accuracy and feasibility of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in identifying bacteria from environmental sources, as compared with rpoA gene sequencing, and to evaluate the occurrence of bacteria of the genus Enterococcus in wild birds. In addition, a phyloproteomic analysis of certain Enterococcus species with spectral relationships was performed. The enterococci were isolated from 25 species of wild birds in central Europe (Poland). Proteomic (MALDI-TOF MS) and genomic (rpoA gene sequencing) methods were used to identify all the isolates. Using MALDI-TOF MS, all 54 (100%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus spp. Among these, 51 (94.4%) isolates were identified to the species level (log(score) ${\geq}2.0$), and three isolates (5.6%) were identified at a level of probable genus identification (log(score) 1.88-1.927). Phylogenetic analysis based on rpoA sequences confirmed that all enterococci had been correctly identified. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent enterococcal species (50%) and Enterococcus faecium (33.3%) the second most frequent species, followed by Enterococcus hirae (9.3%), Enterococcus durans (3.7%), and Enterococcus casseliflavus (3.7%). The phyloproteomic analysis of the spectral profiles of the isolates showed that MALDI-TOF MS is able to differentiate among similar species of the genus Enterococcus.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2007

A total of 1,780 isolates of Enterococcus spp. were isolated from 63,133 clinical specimens from Dec 1, 2005 to Nov 1, 2006 in "C" hospital. Isolation frequencies of Enterococcus spp. were 50.9% for E. faecalis, 41.7% for E. faecium, and 7.4% for other Enterococcus spp. containing E. avium, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, E. durans, E. hirae, and E. raffinosus. There were no significant difference between gender, but according to the age group analysis, Enterococcus spp. were more frequently isolated in patients over 50 years old (20.0~24.6%) than those isolated from the patients under the age of 0~49 (1.3~9.4%). In monthly analysis, Enterococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated in April (11.9%), but presented at lowest frequency in February (5.2%). Seasonal analysis did not show a significant difference. Over half of enterococci were isolated from random urine (44.9%) and catherterized urine (15.7%). Frequencies of vancomycin resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium were 0.1% and 31.0%, respectively. Teicoplanin resistant Enterococcus was 13.3% in E. faecalis, 17.6 % in E. faecium. The Enterococcus species showing over 80% susceptibility against antimicrobial agents were E. faecalis, E. durans and E. hirae in vancomycin; E. faecalis, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, E. durans and E. hirae in ampicillin. The antimicrobial agent showing susceptibility against whole group of Enterococcus species was only linezolid (95.9%), and a selection of antimicrobial agent is necessary to do essential performance identification and susceptibility tests.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.129-131
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• 2006

The antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were investigated. The $MIC_{90}$ of sodium benzoate were 64 mg/ for E. faecalis and 32 mg/L for E. faecium, while the $MBC_{90}$ were 128 mg/L and 64mg/L, respectively. Although further studies are required for clinical evidence, sodium benzoate seems to be effective against Enterococcus spp.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.531-538
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control among nurses in intensive care units. Method: Data were collected from August 15 to October 14, 2007 from 188 nurses working in intensive care units. The nurses answered a 26 item-questionnaire, which included management of the cohort (14 items), hand washing (6 items) and management of the environment (6 items). Descriptive statistics, t or F test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used with SPSS PC+ 14.0 to analyze the data. Results: The participant's level of awareness of Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control was 3.87; that of compliance was 3.74. Significant factors influencing the level of compliance with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control were'the level of the awareness' and 'the type of intensive care unit'. These two variables accounted for 21.0% of variance for compliance with the Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control among the participants. Conclusion: In order to develop a strategy to increase the compliance with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection control, it is necessary to be concerned about 'the level of the awareness', 'the type of intensive care unit;', and 'experiences of caring for patients with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus'.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.387-392
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• 2010

This studies were carried out to assess fermentation properties of amylase activity and added rice yogurt of Enterococcus faecium KHM-11 isolated from Korean human milk. The amylase activity of Enterococcus faecium KHM-11 was above 23 units. Characterization of carbohydrate fermentation of Enterococcus faecium KHM-11 has D-ribose, D-lactose, L-arabinose and starch. Titratable acidity and viable count of lactic acid bacteria of 4% rice yogurt was higher compared to the 0%. Therefore we were discussed Enterococcus faecium KHM-11 is suitable microorganism for fermented milk added rice powder. Hydrolysates of sugars of fermented milk with 4% rice powder cultured Enterococcus faecium KHM-11 were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. Hydrolysates of lactose and galactose were revealed and hydrolysates of glucose was not revealed in results of TLC and HPLC.