• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.51-54
• /
• 2013

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the important causative microbes for nosocomial infection and has been isolated from the dental environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of linalool and ${\alpha}$-terpineol against MRSA isolates from a Korean population. In the experiments, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of these two compounds against 18 strains of MRSA. The data revealed that the $MIC_{90}/MBC_{90}$ values of linalool and ${\alpha}$-terpineol against MRSA were >12.8 mg/ml and 6.4 mg/ml, respectively. These results indicate that ${\alpha}$-terpineol has more potent antimicrobial activity against MRSA than linalool and may have utility as an anti-MRSA cleansing agent for dental instruments and dental unit chairs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.481-483
• /
• 2017

Sphingomonas paucimobilis (S. paucimobilis) is a gram negative bacillus. It has existed in soil, drinking water and plants. It has been isolated from distilled water tanks, respirators, and hemodialysis devices at the hospital setting. Patients with chronic disorders or immune suppression may be susceptible to infections with it. This microorganism has also been reported to infect healthy persons. Both nosocomial and community-acquired infections have been reported. So far, a variety of infections have been reported, including sepsis, septic pulmonary embolism, septic arthritis, peritonitis, and endophthalmitis. Only 2 cases of meningitis have been reported so far in the literature. So far, no previous reports of culture proliferation have been reported in patients with external ventricular drains, as was the case in our patient. Therefore, our case is the first to have S. paucimobilis proliferation in cerebrospinal fluid culture during intensive care unit stay for an external ventricular drain.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.61 no.3
• /
• pp.26.1-26.8
• /
• 2021

Acinetobacter is a bacteria found in the environment and clinical specimens, causing nosocomial infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threats. This study examined the prevalence, species, and AMR characteristics of Acinetobacter isolated from surgical practice and the laboratory dog husbandry room environments (n = 235) at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok veterinary hospital during 2018-2019. The prevalence of Acinetobacter in the laboratory dog husbandry room and veterinary belongings were 2.55% and 0.43%, respectively. Species determination was Acinetobacter hemolyticus (2.13%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (0.43%) from environments in the laboratory dog husbandry room, and Acinetobacter junii (0.43%) from the shoes used in the surgical practice room. AMR was observed in both study environments and the specimens sent to the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. These isolates had a high resistant percentage to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (84.62%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (61.54%), and cephalexin (53.85%) but were susceptible to imipenem. Compared to the isolates recovered from the clinical specimens, most isolates derived from environments exhibited multidrug resistance and shared correlated resistance patterns. These results highlight the need for sanitization in the dog husbandry room. Furthermore, the AMR results can be used as a preliminary baseline for studying AMR Acinetobacter contamination in animals and their environments.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2019

Newborn infants, including premature infants, are high-risk patients susceptible to various microorganisms. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are the most common type of nosocomial infections in this population. Regular education and training of medical staffs are most important as a preventive strategy for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Bundle approaches and the use of checklists during the insertion and maintenance of central catheters are effective measures to reduce the incidence of CLABSIs. Chlorhexidine, commonly used as a skin disinfectant before catheter insertion and dressing replacement, is not approved for infants <2 months of age, but is usually used in many neonatal intensive care units due to the lack of alternatives. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing and bathing, recommended for adults, cannot be applied to newborns. Appropriate replacement intervals for dressing and care sets are similar to those recommended for adults. Umbilical catheters should not be used longer than 5 days for the umbilical arterial catheter and 14 days for the umbilical venous catheter. It is most important to regularly educate, train and give feedback to the medical staffs about the various preventive measures required at each stage from before insertion to removal of the catheter. Continuous efforts are needed to develop effective and safe infection control strategies for neonates and young infants.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.584-591
• /
• 2022

Identifying carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is necessary to prevent nosocomial CRE infection outbreaks. Here, a rapid identification method with reduced enrichment time was developed without compromising accuracy. A total of 49 rectal swabs requested for CRE screening at the Department of Diagnostic Medicine at Hospital B in Busan, Korea, were included in this study. Specimens were inoculated on MacConkey and CHROMID Carba media either directly or following enrichment for 3, 6, and 24 h in 100 μl trypticase soy broth containing an ertapenem disk. The enriched cultures were further inoculated on CHROMID Carba or MacConkey media containing an ertapenem disk. In total, 19 CRE and 5 carbapenem-intermediate Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained from the 49 swabs. Among the 19 CRE isolates, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae constituted 13 strains. Moreover, of the 19 CRE isolates, 16 (81.25%) and 17 (88.24%) were identified from the direct cultures on MacConkey and CHROMID Carba media, respectively. After 3 h of enrichment, the proportions of the CRE identified in the media were: MacConkey medium, 16/19 (81.25%); CHROMID Carba medium, 17/19 (88.24%); and MacConkey medium containing an ertapenem disk, 17/19 (88.24%). The detection rates after 6 h of enrichment were the same for all three media (19/19 strains, 100%), whereas those after 24 h of enrichment were 21, 22, and 24 strains, respectively, but included false positives. These findings suggest that a 6-h enrichment before inoculation on the CHROMID Carba medium is optimal for the rapid and accurate detection of CRE in clinical samples.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.303-308
• /
• 2021

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of nosocomial infections and is one of the most commonly isolated bacterial species in the hospital and continues to be an important pathogens in both community and hospital-acquires infection. The purpose of this study is to investigate the carrier rate of S. aureus and MRSA in the community and molecular genetic characteristics of these organisms. The identification of S. aureus and MRSA were done by the procedures in Murray's manual of Clinical Microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility patterns by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). MRSA strains were confirms by oxacillin disk diffusion method. forty-six strains (71.9%) of S. aureus were isolated from the nasal specimens of 64 students in health science university. twenty-two strains (22%) of 46 S. aureus were resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. twenty-two strains of the 46 S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mecA genes in MRSA were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Community and nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are a significant problem worldwide. There continuous epidemiological study is to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in community acquired infections.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.299-346
• /
• 2016

There were also various decisions made in medical area in 2015. In the case that an inmate in a sanatorium was injured due to the reason which can be attributable to the sanatorium and the social welfare foundation that operates the sanatorium request treatment of the patient, the court set the standard of fixation of a party in medical contract. In the case that the family of the patient who was declared brain dead required withdrawal of meaningless life sustaining treatment but the hospital rejected and continued the treatment, the court made a decision regarding chargeable fee for such treatment. When it comes to the eye brightening operation which received measure of suspension from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in February, 2011, because of uncertainty of its safety, the court did not accept the illegality of such operation itself, however, ordered compensation of the whole damage based on the violation of liability for explanation, which is the omission of explanation about the fact that the cost-effectiveness is not sure as it is still in clinical test stage. There were numerous cases that courts actively acknowledged malpractices; in the cases of paresis syndrome after back surgery, quite a few malpractices during the surgery were acknowledged by the court and in the case of nosocomial infection, hospital's negligence to cause such nosocomial infection was acknowledged by the court. There was a decision which acknowledged malpractice by distinguishing the duty of installation of emergency equipment according to the Emergency Medical Service Act and duty of emergency measure in emergency situations, and a decision which acknowledged negligence of a hospital if the hospital did not take appropriate measures, although it was a very rare disease. In connection with the scope of compensation for damage, there were decisions which comply with substantive truth such as; a court applied different labor ability loss rate as the labor ability loss rate decreased after result of reappraisal of physical ability in appeal compared to the one in the first trial, and a court acknowledged lower labor ability loss rate than the result of appraisal of physical ability considering the condition of a patient, etc. In the event of any damage caused by malpractice, in regard to whether there is a limitation on liability in fee charge after such medical malpractice, the court rejected the hospital's claim for setoff saying that if the hospital only continued treatments to cure the patient or prevent aggravation of disease, the hospital cannot charge Medical bills to the patient. In regard to the provision of the Medical Law that prohibit medical advertisement which was not reviewed preliminarily and punish the violation of such, a decision of unconstitutionality was made as it is a precensorship by an administrative agency as the deliberative bodies such as Korean Medical Association, etc. cannot be denied to be considered as administrative bodies. When it comes to the issue whether PRP treatment, which is commonly performed clinically, should be considered as legally determined uninsured treatment, the court made it clear that legally determined uninsured treatment should not be decided by theoretical possibility or actual implementation but should be acknowledged its medical safety and effectiveness and included in medical care or legally determined uninsured treatment. Moreover, court acknowledged the illegality of investigation method or process in the administrative litigation regarding evaluation of suitability of sanatorium, however, denied the compensation liability or restitution of unjust enrichment of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and the National Health Insurance Corporation as the evaluation agents did not cause such violation intentionally or negligently. We hope there will be more decisions which are closer to substantive truth through clear legal principles in respect of variously arisen issues in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.454-458
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Rotavirus is the main cause of infantile diarrheal disease worldwide. The purpose of this study is to assess the difference between clinical manifestations and feeding or delivery methods in healthy full-term neonates and those with nosocomially-acquired rotaviral infection. Methods : The study was conducted on 348 babies who were delivered in Dongguk University Kyongju Hospital from Jan 1 to June 30 in 2001. Stool specimens were collected from clinically symptomatic neonates. We studied the rate of positive stool rotazyme ELISA tests and positive symptoms. We compared the frequency of clinical manifestations according to the feeding methods [breast feeding(BF) or formula feeding(FF)] and the delivery methods[normal vaginal delivery(NVD) or Cesarean section(C/sec)]. Results : Rotavirus was detected in 152 of 348 babies. The rate of positive rotazyme ELISA test was 43.7% in healthy full-term symptomatic neonates. The most common symptom of rotaviral enteritis was mild fever; the others were watery diarrhea, abdominal distension, vomiting, delayed weight gain, irritability, poor oral intake and dehydration. Compared with FF neonates, BF neonates have lower frequency of symptoms, especially watery diarrhea, delayed weight gain and poor oral intake. The symptomatic frequency was higher in FF and NVD neonates than BF and C/sec. Conclusion : The symptoms of rotaviral enteritis were less frequent in BF or C/sec delivered neonates. BF appeared to alleviate the rotaviral enteritis but further studies are needed. The cause of the lower frequency of symptoms in C/sec delivered neonates was unknown.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.10
• /
• pp.1071-1076
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory infections in infants and young children. Early detection allows quarantining of infected inpatients to prevent nosocomial transmission and to choose a treatment. To achieve rapid reporting, to facilitate prompt antiviral therapy, and to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics, an easy, rapid diagnostic method for RSV is needed. We evaluated a lateral flow immunochromatography (RSV Respi-Strip test) and EIA (Enzyme immuno assay) compared to RT-PCR. Methods : From April 2007 to March 2008, 112 consecutive respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal aspirates, throat swabs, tracheal aspirates, sputum) from patients who were suffering from the clinical signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infection were enrolled in Busan. A total of 112 patients were tested with RSV Respi-Strip (Corio-BioConcept, Belgium), EIA, and RT-PCR at the same time. Results : Of the 112 specimens tested, the number of children who showed positive results at RT-PCR and Respi-Strip were 45 and 42, respectively. The Respi-Strip rapid antigen test had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 94%. The positive and negative predictive values were 90% and 92%, respectively. The agreement was 83%. Conclusion : In our study, the rapid antigen test had as much sensitivity as any method for detection of RSV. The test has many advantages such as easy performance, simple interpretation, and rapid results. If the rapid antigen test is widely applied in the clinical setting, the may be useful for diagnostic and epidemiological studies of RSV infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2010

Purpose : Although the incidence of polymicrobial bloodstream infection (PBSI) has increased, only a few studies have so far focused on children. Therefore, in an effort to prevent more serious situations in pediatric patients, we analyzed the clinical features, organisms, and laboratory results of PBSI. Methods : We performed a retrospective review of the case records of 97 patients with polymicrobial bloodstream infection in the Severance hospital, from 2001 to 2008. Using t-test and chi-square test, we analyzed the underlying medical conditions, clinical characteristics, organisms, and laboratory results of those patients. Results : Annual incidence of polymicrobial bloodstream infection increased from 1.4 % in 2001 to 10.9% in 2008 in pediatric patients. Immunocompromised hemato-oncological malignancy was found in 31 (31.9%) patients, and was the most common underlying medical condition; cardiovascular disease was found in 15 patients (15.4%), neurologic disease in 10 patients (10.3%), and so on. Gram positive organisms were recovered in 143 cases and gram negative organisms were recovered in 101 cases of PBSI. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common organism. Factors affecting mortality included underlying medical disease, immune status, nosocomial infection, and central catheter-related infection, for which the rate of mortality showed a greater increase (P<0.05). Conclusion : Due to the close connection between PBSI and fatal conditions or high mortality, it requires more aggressive management. Compared with previous studies, we discovered that immunocompromised hemato-oncological malignancy was the most common underlying medical condition and that frequency of gram-positive bacteria and fungus isolated has increased.