• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2012

Objectives: An ambulance can be a potential source of contagious or droplet infection of a community. We estimated the prevalence of positive carriage of tuberculosis (TB), methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant $Enterococci$ (VRE) in patients transported by ambulance. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. We enrolled all patients who visited a tertiary teaching hospital emergency department (ED). Blood, sputum, urine, body fluid, and rectal swab samples were taken from patients when they were suspected of TB, MRSA, or VRE in the ED. The patients were categorized into three groups: pre-hospital ambulance (PA) group; inter-facility ambulance (IA) group; and non-ambulance (NA) group. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model for the prevalence of each infection. Results: The total number of patients was 89206. Of these, 9378 (10.5%) and 4799 (5.4%) were in the PA and IA group, respectively. The prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE infection were 0.3%, 1.1%, and 0.3%, respectively. In the PA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.3%, 1.8%, and 0.4%. In the IA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.7%, 4.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of the PA and IA compared to the NA group were 1.02 (0.69 to 1.53) and 1.83 (1.24 to 2.71) for TB, 2.24 (1.87 to 2.69) and 5.47 (4.63 to 6.46) for MRSA, 2.59 (1.78 to 3.77) and 8.90 (6.52 to 12.14) for VRE, respectively. Conclusions: A high prevalence of positive carriage of TB, MRSA, and VRE in patients transported by metropolitan ambulances was found.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

Otitis externa (OE) is a frequent disease in the ear canals of dogs. To identify the pathogens causing OE in dogs and to determine their antimicrobial resistances, specimens were collected from animal hospitals in Daejeon. The isolates were examined by morphological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. We analyzed correlation between the isolated pathogens and external factors of dogs such as breed, age, gender, ear mite, hair in ears and experience with antibiotic therapy. Thirty three strains of bacteria were isolated from 26 of the 68 heads of dogs with OE. The most isolated bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (Sta. aureus), Sta. pseudointermedius, E. faecium, E. avium and Streptococcus canis (Strep. canis) in order of frequency of occurrence. Isolation frequency of Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were 51.5% and 45.5%, respectively. E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates showed VanB phenotype, which is resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin were 58% and 25%, respectively. Nine isolates among total twelve isolates of E. faecalis were isolated from the dogs treated with antibiotics. There was no methicillin-resistant Sta. aureus (MRSA), but were MR-Sta. pseudointermedius (MRSP) (57.1%) and vancomycin-resistant (VR)-Sta. pseudointermedius (14.3%) (VRSP) showing VanB phenotype. However, vanA, vanB and vanC genes were not detected in VR isolates from the dogs. Taken together, VR-Enterococcus spp. (VRE) is one of the major pathogens in domestic animals, as well as community-and hospital-acquired infection.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.131-133
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• 1999

In order to the investigate epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 31 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the equipments of two hospitals in Chonbuk. And their antimicrobial resistance patterns against 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents and the identification of MRSA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were studied. Seven strains among 10 strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus showed 554 bp DNA which was a part of mecA gene in PCR analysis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.615-621
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• 2015

Lactobacillus plantarum FH185 was isolated from the feces of healthy adults. In our previous study, L. plantarum FH185 was demonstrated that it has anti-obesity effect in the in vitro and in vivo test. In order to determine its potential for use as a probiotic, we investigated the physiological characteristics of L. plantarum FH185. The optimum growth temperature of L. plantarum FH185 was 40℃. L. plantarum FH185 showed higher sensitivity to novobiocin in a comparison of fifteen different antibiotics and showed higher resistance to polymyxin B and vancomycin. It also showed higher β-galactosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities. Moreover, it was comparatively tolerant to bile juice and acid, and inhibited the growths of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 44.76% and 53.88%, respectively. It also showed high adhesion activity to HT-29 cells compared to L. rhamnosus GG.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.293-295
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• 2023

Linezolid, the first oxazolidinone introduced into human clinical use, has become a last resort antibiotic in treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Although oxazolidinones are strictly prohibited for use in food-producing animals, occurrence of linezolid-resistant staphylococci has recently been reported in livestock farms in Korea. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an optrA-positive linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus rostri strain PJFA-333 isolated from a pig farm in Korea.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 2024

In vitro antimicrobial activities of hot water extracts of Chamaecyparis obtuse, for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was compared to commonly used conventional antimicrobial agents. All MRSA was susceptible to linezolid or vancomycin, but also to erythromycin. MIC range and MIC₉₀ to erythromycin, clindamycin, levofloxacin, tetracycline for MRSA were each 4 ㎍/mL, 2 ~ >128 ㎍/mL, ≤0.06 ~ >128 ㎍/mL, 0.25 ~ >128 ㎍/mL, 0.25~64 ㎍/mL and 4 ㎍/mL, .128 ㎍/mL, >128 ㎍/mL, >128 ㎍/mL, 64 ㎍/mL. The hot water extracts of leaf of C. obtuse had the lowest MIC range, MIC₅₀, and MIC₉₀ (0.125 µL/mL) for the MRSA tested, and it was possible more potent than various conventional antimicrobial agents. Screen antibacterial drug candidate with high antibacterial activity such as derivatives of C. obtuse leaf extract such as terpinen-4-ol or using combined therapy with commercialized antibacterial agents will likely be helpful in treating refractory MRSA infections.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2001

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was obtained from the clinical specimens at Pusan national university Hospital, Pusan, Korea. The sensitivities against various antibiotics were examined by using disc diffusion test and associated genes such as mecA, mecR1, mecI and femA were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Among Seventy-nine strains of MRSA, 38 strains(48.1%)were sensitive to streptomycin and 32 strains(40.5%) to cefoperazone, while one strain(1.3%) were resistant to vancomycin. In considering the result of this study, 7 strains showed resistance to 9 kinds of different antibiotics, 12 strains were to 8 kinds, 24 strains were to 7,25 strains were to 6, 9 strains were to 5, and 2 strains were to 4 antibiotics. Among 79 strains of MRSA, 67 strains were coagulase positive and 12 were coagulase negative. In the detection of MRSA associated genes by PCR method, mecA, mecR1, mecI, and femA genes were detected in 30 strains(44.8%), 28 strains(41.8%), 23 strains(34.3%) and 15 strains(22.4%), respectively. MecA type that is without femA were found in 21 strains(31.3%), femA type that is without regulator genes were shown in 4 strains(6.0%), while mecA-mecR1-mecI type with regulator genes were shown more to be 17 strains(25.4%). There was little statistical significance between multidrug resistance and MRSA associated genes. Considering these result, it is necessary to include moecular biological studies of related genes to the study drug resistance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2021

Previously, our research group isolated Bifidobacterium breve IDCC4401 from infant feces as a potential probiotic. For this study, we evaluated the safety of B. breve IDCC4401 using genomic and phenotypic analyses. Whole genome sequencing was performed to identify genomic characteristics and investigate the potential presence of genes encoding virulence, antibiotic resistance, and mobile genetic elements. Phenotypic analyses including antibiotic susceptibility, enzyme activity, production of biogenic amines (BAs), and proportion of D-/L-lactate were evaluated using E-test, API ZYM test, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and D-/L-lactic acid assay respectively. The genome of B. breve IDCC4401 consists of 2,426,499 bp with a GC content of 58.70% and 2,016 coding regions. Confirmation of the genome as B. breve was provided by its 98.93% similarity with B. breve DSM20213. Furthermore, B. breve IDCC4401 genes encoding virulence and antibiotic resistance were not identified. Although B. breve IDCC4401 showed antibiotic resistance against vancomycin, we confirmed that this was an intrinsic feature since the antibiotic resistance gene was not present. B. breve IDCC4401 showed leucine arylamidase, cystine arylamidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, and α-glucosidase activities, whereas it did not show production of harmful enzymes such as β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase. In addition, B. breve IDCC4401 did not produce any tyramine, histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, or 2-phenethylamine, which are frequently detected BAs during fermentation. B. breve IDCC4401 produced 95.08% of L-lactate and 4.92% of D-lactate. Therefore, our findings demonstrate the safety of B. breve IDCC 4401 as a potential probiotic for use in the food industry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2000

Antimicrobial resistance has been a well-recognized problem ever since the introduction of penicillin into clinical use. History of antimicrobial development can be categorized based on the major antibiotics that had been developed against emerging resistant $pathogens^1$. In the first period from 1940 to 1960, penicillin was a dominating antibiotic called as a "magic bullet", although S.aureus armed with penicillinase led antimicrobial era to the second period in 1960s and 1970s. The second stage was characterized by broad-spectrum penicillins and early generation cephalosporins. During this period, nosocomial infections due to gram-negative bacilli became more prevalent, while those caused by S.aureus declined. A variety of new antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanism of action including new generation cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitors, and quinolones characterized the third period from 1980s to 1990s. However, extensive use of wide variety of antibiotics in the community and hospitals has fueled the crisis in emerging antimicrobial resistance. Newly appeared drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase-producing Klebsiella, and VRSA have posed a serious threat in many parts of the world. Given the recent epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and its clinical impact, there is no greater challenge related to emerging infections than the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Problems of antimicrobial resistance can be amplified by the fact that resistant clones or genes can spread within or between the species as well as to geographically distant areas which leads to a global concern$^2$. Antimicrobial resistance is primarily generated and promoted by increased use of antimicrobial agents. Unfortunately, as many as 50 % of prescriptions for antibiotics are reported to be inappropriate$^3$. Injudicious use of antibiotics even for viral upper respiratory infections is a universal phenomenon in every part of the world. The use of large quantities of antibiotics in the animal health industry and farming is another major factor contributing to selection of antibiotic resistance. In addition to these background factors, the tremendous increase in the immunocompromised hosts, popular use of invasive medical interventions, and increase in travel and mixing of human populations are contributing to the resurgence and spread of antimicrobial resistance$^4$. Antimicrobial resistance has critical impact on modem medicine both in clinical and economic aspect. Patients with previously treatable infections may have fatal outcome due to therapeutic failure that is unusual event no more. The potential economic impact of antimicrobial resistance is actually uncountable. With the increase in the problems of resistant organisms in the 21st century, however, additional health care costs for this problem must be enormously increasing.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.346-353
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• 2002

Purpose : Penicillin- and multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae poses a serious threat to clinicians because the rate of resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin in Korea has surged up to the world's highest level. This study was performed to assess the carriage rate, serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. pneumoniae isolated from oropharynx in children. Methods : From March to July 1998, 209 children under 5 years of age were recruited from five day care centers. The carriage rate for pneumococci was obtained. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined with the E-test and agar dilution methods. Serogrouping was performed on 48 of the pneumococcal isolates by the Quellung reaction. Results : The carriage rate of S. pneumoniae was 30.1%. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were available for 59 of the isolates. Sixty-six percent of isolates were not susceptible to penicillin, and multidrug-resistance was observed in 76.3% of the isolates. A high proportion of the penicillin-resistant strains showed associated resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, erythromycin, and oxacillin. The most prevalent oropharyngeal serogroups were 19, 6, 3, 23, and 29. Resistance of the pneumococcal isolates to penicillin was different according to the serogroups. All of the strains of serogroup 19, 23, and 29 was resistant to penicillin but 87.5% of serogroup 3 strains were susceptible to penicillin. Conclusion : The resistance rate of S. pneumoniae isolated from oropharynx in children was very high to penicillin and other antimicrobial agents. For the reduction of the drug-resistant rate of S. pneumoniae, clinicians should be required to be more judicious in their use of antimicrobial agents.