• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2021

Background: Cupping is widely used in Korean medicine, but there is a risk of bacterial infection if the suction pump (used for inducing negative pressure) and the patients' skin are not separated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of layer cupping by comparing the pressure changes between layer cupping and conventional cupping. Methods: To evaluate pressure changes the study was designed with 3 types of conditions applied to a skin model: (1) a Dongbang cup with a manual or motor suction pump (conventional cupping); (2) layer cupping with 2 Dongbang cups; and (3) layer cupping with a cup made by 3D printing and a Dongbang cup. Results: When a manual suction pump was used (conventional cupping), the pressure did not decrease steadily, and in 1 section there was an increase in pressure. When layer cupping was used, the pressure in the lower cup (which would be directly applied to the patient's skin), decreased steadily. Conclusion: In the pressure change graph for layer cupping in this skin model, the pressure in the lower cup (which would be placed on the patient's skin) steadily decreased, and reached equilibrium. Therefore, the layer cupping model may help to reduce the risks of bacterial infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.622-628
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• 2009

In the present study, the therapeutic potential of purified and well-characterized bacteriophages was evaluated in thermally injured mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae B5055. The efficacy of five Klebsiella phages (Kpn5, Kpn12, Kpn13, Kpn17, and Kpn22) was evaluated on the basis of survival rate, decrease in bacterial counts in different organs of phage-treated animals, and regeneration of skin cells as observed by histopathological examination of phage-treated skin. Toxicity studies performed with all the phages showed them to be non-toxic, as no signs of morbidity and mortality were observed in phage-treated mice. The results of the study indicate that a single dose of phages, intraperitoneally (i.p.) at an MOI of 1.0, resulted in significant decrease in mortality, and this dose was found to be sufficient to completely cure K. pneumoniae infection in the burn wound model. Maximum decrease in bacterial counts in different organs was observed at 72 h post infection. Histopathological examination of skin of phage-treated mice showed complete recovery of burn infection. Kpn5 phage was found to be highly effective among all the phages and equally effective when compared with a cocktail of all the phages. From these results, it can be concluded that phage therapy may have the potential to be used as stand-alone therapy for K. pneumoniae induced burn wound infection, especially in situations where multiple antibiotic-resistant organisms are encountered.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.953-958
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• 2016

Chitosan-based film-forming gel is regarded as a promising vehicle for topical delivery of antimicrobial agents to skin wounds, since it protects from microbial infection and the cationic polymer itself possesses antibacterial activity. In this study, possible synergistic interaction against common skin pathogens between the cationic polymer and tyrothricin (TRC), a cyclic polypeptide antibiotic, was investigated, by determining the concentration to inhibit 90% of bacterial isolates (MIC). The addition of the polysaccharide to TRC dramatically reduced the MIC values of TRC by 1/33 and 1/4 against both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The synergism of TRC and chitosan combination against both strains was demonstrated by the checkerboard method, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index below 0.5. Moreover, co-treatment of TRC and chitosan exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due to the antibacterial activity of chitosan, whereas TRC itself did not inhibit the gram-negative bacterial growth. These findings suggested that the use of chitosan-based film for topical delivery of TRC could be an alternative to improve TRC antimicrobial activity against strains that are abundant in skin wounds.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2008

Purpose: In a diabetic foot ulcer, superficial fungal infection of the foot may disrupt the skin integrity and provide an avenue for bacterial infection. The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer has been reported as 12-30% in Caucasian patients. However, no data are available for Korean patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot patients admitted in our clinic. Methods: This study included consecutive 30 diabetic foot ulcer patients(24 males and 6 females) admitted from May 2007 to July 2007. The mean age was 60.5 years. All patients underwent mycological examination including direct microscopic examination in KOH and culturing on slants and tubes with Sabouraud's glucose agar. Results: Clinical signs of presumed fungal infection, which were examined by dermatologists, were found in all patients included in this study. Direct microscopic examination was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 28(93.3%) and 25(83.3%) patients, respectively. In addition, culture result was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 5(16.73%) and 7(23.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer patients admitted in our clinic is much higher than that in Caucasian patients(83.3-93.3% vs 12-30%).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the causes of bacterial growth to prevent infection caused by ultrasound gel and gel containers in contact with patients during ultrasonography. To investigate bacterial contamination during manufacturing or storage, we cultured ultrasound gels originally supplied from three manufacturers. To analyze bacterial growth according to the lapse of time and frequency of use of the ultrasound gel container, the gel and container were cultured at regular intervals every week for 4 weeks. In addition, to determine the source of infection, the examiner's hand was inspected with hand plate and the degree of bacterial contamination was measured before the test. As a result of the study, bacteria were not detected in the gel provided at the initial supply, and in the gel and gel container used repeatedly for 4 weeks, the same bacteria residing on the skin were identified in the examiner's hand, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroid spp cremoris, Kocuria rhizophila, and etc. Separated strains were classified as those of the low- or non-pathogenicity; however, most of these strains may render fatal consequences to patients of lower level of immunity due to acquired tolerance to antibiotics. At week 1, when the number of tests was the highest, 44 colonies were identified, and at week 4, when the number of tests was the lowest, 4 colonies were identified. As r=0.994, it was found that the number of colonies increased as the number of tests increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the cause of the infection was not the ultrasound gel, but the examiner's hand. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. Therefore, it was confirmed that thorough hand disinfection was necessary to block healthcare-associated infections.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.381-383
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• 2017

A two-year-old intact male Labrador retriever was presented with generalized erythema, pustule and pruritus. A skin screening test revealed that there were no fleas but bacteria and dermatophytes were present. Blood testing revealed no remarkable findings. The patient was prescribed systemic medication of enrofloxacin 30 mg/kg once a day and itraconazole 10 mg/kg once a day and topical medication of 2% chlorhexidine shampoo twice a week for 2 weeks. Two weeks after the prescription, aerobic culture confirmed that the bacteria were Leclercia Adecarboxylata and Pseudomonas putida was sensitive to enrofloxacin. Therefore, more medicine was prescribed for 4 weeks to alleviate clinical signs. After six weeks of medication, clinical signs were alleviated and skin screening test revealed no remarkable findings. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are common in dogs. However, there are no reports of Leclercia Adecarboxylata infection even in gastrointestinal tract in veterinary medicine. This is the first report of Leclercia Adecarboxylata infection in dogs. This report proved that Leclercia Adecarboxylata can cause skin problem in dogs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 1991

Continuous epidural analgesia is widely used in pain management. We investigates the incidence of contamination of epidural catheters used in epidural catheters for pain control. The tips of epidural catheters were examined for bacterial growth after use. In culture from 250 patients undergoing continuous epidural catheterization, 33(13.2%) catheters were found to be contaminated: staphylococcus epidermis 66.9%; staphylococcus aureus 12.1%; alpha streptococcus 12.1%; and others 9.1%. One significant epidural infection occured. One of the most common causes of the epidural infection during long time epidural block is the transmission of the microorganism from the contaminated skin to the epidural space along the epidural catheter. To prevent epidural infection, sterilization of the skin around the epidural catheter is essential.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.843-851
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• 1995

To observe the effect of Demodex canis infection on the cellular immune response and hematological profile, 8 Doberman pinschers experimentally infected with D cains and 4 uninfected control dogs were sensitized with 2, 4-dinitro-chlorobenzene(DNCB) on the skin and were challenged with DNCB 14 days after the initial sensitization to elicit allergic contact dermatitis. Histological and hematological changes of these dogs were then observed. Macroscopic changes of skin challenged with DNCB in D canis-infected dogs included significantly reduced area of allergic reaction(p<0.05) than in uninfected control group. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the D canis-infected group was also significantly reduced(p<0.05) than in the uninfected control group. These changes indicated that the cell-mediated immune response of the animals was suppressed by the infection with D canis. Total white blood cell count in dogs infected with D canis was increased when dogs were sensitized with DNCB (p<0.01). The result appeared to be caused by stress due to D canis infection, secondary bacterial infection and decreased efficacy of general body defense system. Blood eosionophils were increased in D canis-infected dogs which appreared to be caused by the allergic contact dermatitis. Blood chemistry analysis revealed that total protein and globulin were increased(p<0.05), while albumin level was decreased. This result appeared to be caused by secondary bacterial infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.98-101
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• 2019

Lactobacillus spp. are the bacteria most commonly used as probiotics and it has been proven that they inhibit pathogenic bacterial growth and improve skin repair in humans. This study was conducted to investigate the growth inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus on Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, the most commonly isolated pathogen in canine pyoderma, and whether Lactobacillus could inhibit the adhesion capability of S. pseudintermedius to canine corneocytes. For this study, L. salivarius and S. pseudintermedius were isolated from healthy beagle fecal samples and the skin surface of dogs with skin infection, respectively. S. pseudintermedius was co-cultured with L. salivarius to assess the inhibitory effect. For the adhesion assay, corneocytes were collected from healthy beagle ventral abdominal skin. Both bacterial species attached to corneocytes and were assessed in number. As a result, L. salivarius significantly inhibited the growth of S. pseudintermedius in the culture medium. Moreover, L. salivarius reduced attachment of S. pseudintermedius in the adhesion assay. These results suggest that L. salivarius has an inhibitory effect on S. pseudintermedius and may be effectively used in the topical therapy of canine skin infections.