• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.896-903
• /
• 2021

For the safety assessment of microbiological and chemical hazards in raw short-neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum distributed in the Yeongnam and Honam areas during the spring season, the contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni) as microbiological hazards, and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury), benzopyrene, shellfish poison (paralytic, diarrhetic, amnesic), and radioactivity (¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs+¹³⁷Cs) were also analyzed in 15 samples based on the methods of the Korean Food Code. The average contamination levels of total viable bacteria were 3.11 (1.40-4.49) log CFU/g, and coliforms were detected in 5 out of 15 samples (1.18-1.85 log CFU/g). E. coli and S. aureus were not detected in all samples. Furthermore, the presence of 8 pathogens were not detected in all samples. The average contamination levels of lead, cadmium, and total mercury were 0.155 (0.079-0.264), 0.160 (0.040-0.287), and 0.017 (0.008-0.026) mg/kg, respectively. Benzo(a)pyrene, shellfish poison, and radioactivity were not detected in all samples. The results of this study suggest that the safety against all microbiological and chemical hazard factors in raw short-neck clams distributed in markets has been assured.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2015

Laboratory facilities for biology are designed as biosafety level 1, biosafety level 2, biosafety level 3, and biosafety level 4. Biosafety level designations are based on a composite of the design features, construction, containment facilities, equipment, practice and operation procedures required for working with agents from the various risk groups. Generally, biosafety level 3 means the facility that is appropriate for the experiments using pathogens which can cause serious diseases by aerosol transmission. The biosafety level assigned for the specific work to be done is driven by professional judgement based on a risk assessment, rather than by automatic assignment according to the particular risk group designation of the pathogenic agents to be used. In this paper, we introduced the biosafety level 3 facility operated in ADD(Agency for defense development). It contains the overview of facility, microbiological experiment, animal experiment, decontamination and waste disposal. Biosafety level 3 laboratory in ADD has served the vital role in the research of biological agents and antidote development.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.904-911
• /
• 2021

For the safety assessment of microbiological and chemical hazards in dried sea mustard, fifteen samples of dried sea mustards Undaria pinnatifida were purchased from the supermarkets distributed throughout Korea. The contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine pathogenic bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio spp., Clostridium perfringens, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), Yersinia enterocolitica and Campylobacter jejuni/coli] were quantitatively or qualitatively assessed. Also, the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury, and inorganic arsenic), and radioactivity (¹³¹I, ¹³⁴CS+¹³⁷CS) were quantitatively assessed. This microbial and chemical analysis was performed using standard methods in Korean food code. The total viable bacteria ranged from 4.3×10² (5.0×10-1.5×10³) CFU/g. Coliforms and E. coli were not detected in all samples (ND, <1 log₁₀ CFU/g). All nine pathogenic bacteria were qualitatively detected as negative. The contamination levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and inorganic arsenic were 0.036 (0.015-0.051), 0.117 (0.088-0.156), 0.030 (0.017-0.048), and 0.058 (0.056-0.064) mg/kg, respectively. Radioactivity was also not detected in any sample. The microbial contamination levels determined in the current study may be potentially used as basis for performing microbial risk assessments of dried sea mustards.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2014

Minimum infective dose (MID) data has been recognized as an important and absolutely needed in quantitative microbiological assessment (QMRA). In this study, we performed a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis to better quantify this association. The meta-analysis applied a final selection of 82 published papers for total 12 species foodborne disease pathogens (bacteria 9, virus 2, and parasite 1 species) which were identified and classified based on the dose-response models related to QMRA studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect database and internet websites during 1980-2012. The main search keywords used the combination "food", "foodborne disease pathogen", "minimum infective dose", and "quantitative microbiological risk assessment". The appropriate minimum infective dose for B. cereus, C. jejuni, Cl. perfringens, Pathogenic E. coli (EHEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC), L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Hepatitis A virus, Noro virus, and C. pavum were $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.32), 500 cells/g (fi = 0.57), $10^7cells/g$ (fi = 0.56), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.47) / $10^8cells/g$ (fi = 0.71) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.70) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.60), $10^2{\sim}10^3cells/g$ (fi = 0.23), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.30), 100 cells/g (fi = 0.32), $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.45), $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.64), $10{\sim}10^2particles/g$ (fi = 0.33), 10 particles/g (fi = 0.71), and $10{\sim}10^2oocyst/g$ (fi = 0.33), respectively. Therefore, these results provide the preliminary data necessary for the development of foodborne pathogens QMRA.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.481-487
• /
• 2014

This study examined microbiological contamination of street foods(kimbab, fish cake, Korean sausage) by microbiological analysis. A collection of 360 samples of street foods was obtained seasonally in four major cities(Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Gwangju) in Korea. Aerobic mesophilic counts ranged between 1.0 and 9.9 log CFU/g, with the highest count recorded from Kimbab. Counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms were as high as those of mesophilic microorganisms. Total coliform populations between <1.0 and 7.5 log CFU/g were found in 53.6% of samples. Escherichia coli 4.4%, Staphylococcus aureus 7.8% and Clostridium perfringens 3.3%. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. Kimbab purchased in spring and summer showed higher S. aureus and Cl. perfringens contamination rates. Microbial contamination levels determined in the present study may be used as the primary data to execute microbial risk assessment of street foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.7
• /
• pp.938-943
• /
• 2007

This study investigated the hazard analysis of ready-to-eat sandwiches sold in various establishments. Sandwich samples were collected from convenience stores, discount stores, sandwich chain stores, bakery shops, fast-food chain stores, and food service operations located in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Out of 174 samples, 18 (10.3%) contained coagulase positive staphylococci with counts ranging from 0.30 to 4.08 log CFU/g. There was significant seasonal difference in Staphylococcus aureus isolation; the average count in summer (3.24 log CFU/g) was 3 times higher than that of winter (1.10 log CFU/g) (P<0.001). According to the microbiological guidelines of PHLS for ready-to-eat foods, 95.4% of the samples were acceptable. As a result of enterotoxin producing experimental data ($35^{\circ}C$, pH 5.8, NaCl 0.5%), enterotoxin was not produced in a sandwich until Staphylococcus aureus increased to a level greater than 4.95 log CFU/g. This microbiological hazard analysis data could be applied to future studies on quantitative risk assessment of ready-to-eat foods.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2013

As facilities and equipments for learning activities in college campuses are handled by mass public, their contact surfaces may function as major routes of cross-infection of microbial pathogens. However, unlike items in cafeteria which is the typical target for campus hygiene, those surfaces are not under regular surveillance or sanitary maintenance. In this study, I made a quantitative comparison of the risk of being exposed to microbial pathogens from use of learning facilities such as classrooms and library to the risk from use of cafeteria, for about 1,500 students in a college. Regarding total coliforms as surrogate model of bacterial pathogens, exposure rates were estimated for each item in learning facilities and cafeterias by devising deterministic exposure algorithms based on bacterial abundance, contract rates and transfer rates. The exposure rate in cafeterias was 1.0 CFU/day while learning facilities imposed the rate of 0.5 CFU/day, which reaches a half of the exposure rate in cafeterias. However, 70% of students were exposed more in learning facilities than cafeteria because individuals had different frequencies in using cafeteria. Based on the results, some human-contact surfaces of learning facilities, including elevator buttons, may require regular sanitary maintenance. An efficient sanitary maintenance considering seasonality in diversity of pathogens involved with cross-infections is suggested besides improvement of personal hygiene among students.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2005

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a prevalent and potentially life threatening illness. American Thoracic Society and Infectious Disease Society America recommend combination therapies with ${\beta}-lactam$ plus a macrolide or a fluoroquinolone monotherapy for the empirical treatment of CAP. The aim of this study was to compare moxifloxacin monotherapy with cephalosporin plus azithromycin combination therapies. From January 2004 to March 2005, 18 patients in the moxifloxacin group(MG) and 21 patients in the cefuroxime or ceftriaxone plus azithromycin group(CAG) with CAP were retrospectively reviewed with regard to clinical, laboratory and microbiological data. Each patient was stratified into mild (risk class I-II), moderate (risk class III) and severe (risk class VI, V) group according to and PSI (Pneumonia Severity Index) score. Each group was compared for microbiological eradication, clinical assessment, the length of hospital stay. As results, Total 39 patients with CAP were reviewed. The appropriateness of admission was 83.3% in MC vs. 76.2% in CAC. The mean length of the hospital day was for 8.31 days vs. 7.39 days, days switching parenteral to oral antibiotics in 5.19 days vs. 5.28 days, clinical improvement in 2.43 days vs. 2.61 days in MG vs. CAC. Radiological improvement required 3.75 days vs 3.63 days in MG vs. CAG and bacteriological eradication rate at discharge was the same in the both groups. Mortality rate was 11.1% (2 of 18) vs 14.3% (3 of 21) in MG vs. CAG (p=0.77). Drug cost of the mean 5 hospital days requiring parenteral antibiotics was the most inexpensive in moxifloxacin group for the 147,045 won, and ceftriaxone 1g-azithromycin group for the 170,285 won, cefuroxime bid-azithromycin group for the 207,800 won, ceftriaxone 2g-azithromycin group far the 220,570 won, cefuroxime tid-azithromycin group for the 251,700 won. There was no significant statistical difference in clinical, bacterial, radiological cure and hospital days, and switch to oral days. In conclusion, that i.v. moxifloxacin monotherapy was as effective as azithromycin plus cefuroxime or ceftriaxone combination therapies fur the treatment of CAP. In drug cost analysis, moxifloxacin is less expensive than CAG.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.268-278
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to apply the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to the production of seasoned laver products. The hazard analysis examined microbial evaluations and developed a HACCP management plan through the heating process. Methods: In this study we chose three companies and performed the analysis thrice. During this study, general bacteria along with other food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, E.coil, O157:H7, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were studied at varying temperatures from 100 to $300^{\circ}C$. Results: The presence of general bacteria was detected in raw laver in the samples analyzed from all the three companies, and the number ranged from $10^5-10^7$. Bacillus cereus was detected in samples from only two of the three companies analyzed. However, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coil, O157:H7, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were all negative. General bacteria was reduced to $10^5$ after being subjected to temperatures of $100-250^{\circ}C$, but heating to over $270^{\circ}C$ reduced the number to below $10^3$, and the other microbes such as Bacillus cereus were not detected. Conclusions: In conclusion, the heating process ($270-280^{\circ}C$) along with RPM of 100-1200 were identified as CCP to reduce biological hazards.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.100-104
• /
• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to assess public and private medical diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and measures. Methods: A total of 80 diagnostic laboratories in biosafety level 3 were assessed for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and compliance rate with biosafety practices. A detailed questionnaire and checklist was used to obtain the relevant information from enlisted laboratories. Results: The results showed the presence of an isolated unit for microbiological work, leak-proof working benches, self-closing doors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher(s), autoclaves, and hand washing sinks in 21.3%, 71.3%, 15.0%, 1.3%, 11.3%, 82.5%, and 67.5%, respectively, of all laboratories surveyed. It was observed that public diagnostic laboratories were significantly more likely to have an isolated unit for microbiological work (p = 0.001), hand washing sink (p = 0.003), and an autoclave ($p{\leq}0.001$) than private ones. Routine use of hand gloves, biosafety cabinet, and a first aid box was observed in 35.0%, 20.0%, and 2.5%, respectively, of all laboratories examined. Written standard operating procedures, biosafety manuals, and biohazard signs on door entrances were observed in 6.3%, 1.3%, and 3.8%, respectively, of all audited laboratories. No biosafety officer(s) or records of previous spills, or injuries and accidents, were observed in all diagnostic laboratories studied. Conclusion: In all laboratories (public and private) surveyed, marked deficiencies were observed in the area of administrative control responsible for implementing biosafety. Increased emphasis on provision of biosafety devices and compliance with standard codes of practices issued by relevant authorities is strongly advocated.