• Title/Summary/Keyword: Bacterial population

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Biological Control of Blue Mold of Apples by Bacillus spp. and Serratia marcescens (Bacillus spp. 및 Serratia marcescens에 의한 사과 푸른곰팡이병의 생물적 방제)

  • Kim, Yong-Ki;Lee, Seong-Don;Ryu, Jae-Gee;Ryu, Jae-Dang
    • Research in Plant Disease
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.229-236
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    • 2003
  • The 1080 epiphytic bacteria obtained from 370 samples of pome and stone fruits including apple, pear, peach, grape, apricot and Chinese quince were screened for antagonistic activity against postharvest pathogens, Penicillium expansum, Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea. Among tested antagonistic bacteria, eight bacterial isolates inhibited mycelial growth of the postharvest pathogens and were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (three strains), B. megaterium, B. subtilis var. gladioli, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus and Serratia marcescens based on biochemical characteristics and utility of carbon and nitrogen compounds (Biolog system). Eight carbohydrates were evaluated for their effect on mycelial growth and germination of the postharvest pathogen, P. expansum to select nutrients for enhancing bio-control efficacy. The growth of four selected antagonists, B. amyloliquefaciens P43-2, B. amyloliquefaciens A71-2, B. licheniformis P94-1, and S. marcescens P76-9 were also tested. As a result, 1% glucose (w/v) strongly stimulated growth of the antagonists, suppressed mycelial growth of the postharvest pathogen, and had a little comparatively stimulatory effect on germination of the the postharvest pathogen. It was confirmed that the addition of 1% glucose (w/v) greatly enhanced biocontrol effect of B. amyloliquefaciens P43-2, B. licheniformis P94-1, and S. marcescens P76-9. Application of B. amyloliquefaciens P43-2, B. licheniformis P94-1, and S. marcescens P76-9 with the addition of 1% glucose (w/v) increased the control efficacy up to 48%, 46%, 14% compared with those of the antagonists without glucose, respectively. When the antagonists were applied to control postharvest disease caused by P. expansum in apple wounds, the population of B. amyloliquefaciens P43-2 and B. licheniformis P94-1 increased until 4 days after inoculation (DAI) of the antagonists and then decreased from 10 DAI. Meanwhile the population of S. marcescens P76-9 decreased at early stage (4 DAI), but increased from 7 DAI, and finally maintained constantly until 10 DAI in apple wounds.

The Prediction of the Origin of Microbial Contamination in Kimbab and Improvement of Microbiological Safety by Gamma Irradiation (김밥의 미생물 오염원 예측 및 미생물학적 안전성 개선을 위한 감마선 조사 효과)

  • Lee, Na-Young;Jo, Cheol-Hun;Chung, Hun-Jong;Kang, Ho-Jin;Kim, Jae-Kyung;Kim, Hyun-Ju;Byun, Myung-Woo
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.279-286
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    • 2005
  • Microbial contamination origin of Kimbab was determined using nine types of ready-to-use ingredients, three each from animal, seafood, and vegetable sources. Effect of radiation on microbiological safety was also investigated. Total aerobic bacteria were not detected in seasoned beef, ham, and seasoned burdock, whereas 3.50, 5.41, 8.83, and 5.07 log CFU/g were detected in surimi gel, seasoned and blanched spinach, dried laver, and cucumber, respectively. Total aerobic bacterial and mold numbers were 8.73 and 5.08 log CFU/g in prepared Kimbab. Gamma irradiation reduced level of contaminated aerobic bacteria and mold population in Kimbab and its ingredients, Salmonella mutagenicity assay (Ames test) showed Kimbub ingredients irradiated at 10 kGy did not show any mutagenicity. These results indicate ready-to-use kimbab ingredients were mostly responsible for total aerobic bacteria and mold population of Kimbab, and low dose irradiation and low temperature storage ($10^{\circ}C$) effectively ensured microbiological safety of Kimbab and ready-to-use ingredients.

Changes of Microbial Community Associated with Construction Method and Maintenance Practise on Soil Profile in Golf Courses (지반 조성과 관리방법에 따른 골프장 토양내 미생물 군집의 변화)

  • Moon, Kyung-Hee;Kim, Ki-Dong;Joo, Young-Kyoo
    • Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.219-228
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    • 2009
  • The construction procedures and artificial turf maintenance program on golf course definitely influence on the distortion of its environment. Soil microbial communities in soil profile were affected directly by those practises on turf areas. In Jeju island, the environmental impact assessment has been required to apply the first quality class granular activated carbon(GAC), which has a high absorbent character to agricultural chemicals, on the soil profiles of golf green system to reduce the pesticide leaching to ground water. This research was carried out to analyze the changes of microbial communities and chemical properties on soil profiles where GAC had been applied at the construction stage at two golf courses in Jeju. The changes of soil microbial population and chemical properties associated with construction methods of soil profile and agrochemical management program were analyzed by monthly at the surface and sub-soil profiles during April through October, 2007. The total numbers of bacteria and fungi, soil moisture content, soil physio-chemical properties were measured on greens and fairways of the both golf courses with different GAC treatment on the green and fairway soil profiles. The results showed that GAC had positive effects on the water holding capacity, pH and EC, however, it did not improved the holding capacity of available nutrients ${NO_3}^-,{NH_4}^+$, and phosphorus by its sorption phenomenon. In microbial count test, the total numbers of bacteria and fungi showed a great variation during sampling dates. That may directly relate to the agrochemical application, however, the ratio of total bacterial number versus total fungus number showed a constant value on a sub-soil of 15~30cm depth. Thus, the construction method of GAC in soil profile, and application of fertilizer and pesticide, both impacted on the changes of microbial population. It's means that the construction method of soil profile and turf management using agro-materials might greatly affect on the turfgrass culture and the environment of golf course.

Application Effects of Fermented Mixed Organic Fertilizer Utilizing By-Products on Yield of Chinese Cabbage and Soil Environment (부산물 활용 발효 유기질비료가 배추 수량 및 토양환경에 미치는 영향)

  • An, Nan-Hee;Lee, Sang-Min;Oh, Eun-mi;Lee, Cho-Rong;Gong, Min-Jae
    • Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.77-85
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    • 2020
  • This study analyzes the effects of mixed fermented organic fertilizer on chinese cabbage growth and soil properties in order to investigate the nutritional effects of organic fertilizers, which are developed as an alternative fertilizer for imported castor oil cake. In this study, four treatments were set up: 100% and 200% rate of nitrogen application (320 kg ha-1 for Chinese cabbage) on mixed fermented organic fertilizer A(FA) and mixed fermented organic fertilizer B(FB), respectively, 100% rates of the mixed expeller cake (MEC) fertilizer, and the untreated control. Results revealed that the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage increased as more fermented organic fertilizer was used. However, while there were no significant differences in growth characteristics between treatments of 100% rate of mixed fermented organic fertilizer and 100% rate of MEC, the impacts on yields resulted similar. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Chinese cabbage was measured a range of 20-31% depending on the response to treatment. The 100% FA showed the same as NUE and nitrogen absorption with 100% rate of MEC. Regarding soil properties after cultivation, there were no significant differences among the effects of fertilizers in pH, EC, soil organic matter, and available phosphate. However, the content of exchangeable cations(K, Ca, Mg) was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas. Furthermore, the bacterial population density in the soil was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas and increased as more mixed fermented organic fertilizer was used. There were no significant differences in the population density of actinomycetes and fungi when fertilizer was applied to the soil. These results also show that FA, as a alternative organic fertilizer for imported castor oil cake, has similar nutritional effects as that of MEC. Therefore, further research the appropriate amounts of fertilizer is required to achieve economical and eco-friendly nutrient management.

Field Studios of In-situ Aerobic Cometabolism of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

  • Semprini, Lewts
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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    • 2004.04a
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    • pp.3-4
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    • 2004
  • Results will be presented from two field studies that evaluated the in-situ treatment of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) using aerobic cometabolism. In the first study, a cometabolic air sparging (CAS) demonstration was conducted at McClellan Air Force Base (AFB), California, to treat chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) in groundwater using propane as the cometabolic substrate. A propane-biostimulated zone was sparged with a propane/air mixture and a control zone was sparged with air alone. Propane-utilizers were effectively stimulated in the saturated zone with repeated intermediate sparging of propane and air. Propane delivery, however, was not uniform, with propane mainly observed in down-gradient observation wells. Trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1, 2-dichloroethene (c-DCE), and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration levels decreased in proportion with propane usage, with c-DCE decreasing more rapidly than TCE. The more rapid removal of c-DCE indicated biotransformation and not just physical removal by stripping. Propane utilization rates and rates of CAH removal slowed after three to four months of repeated propane additions, which coincided with tile depletion of nitrogen (as nitrate). Ammonia was then added to the propane/air mixture as a nitrogen source. After a six-month period between propane additions, rapid propane-utilization was observed. Nitrate was present due to groundwater flow into the treatment zone and/or by the oxidation of tile previously injected ammonia. In the propane-stimulated zone, c-DCE concentrations decreased below tile detection limit (1 $\mu$g/L), and TCE concentrations ranged from less than 5 $\mu$g/L to 30 $\mu$g/L, representing removals of 90 to 97%. In the air sparged control zone, TCE was removed at only two monitoring locations nearest the sparge-well, to concentrations of 15 $\mu$g/L and 60 $\mu$g/L. The responses indicate that stripping as well as biological treatment were responsible for the removal of contaminants in the biostimulated zone, with biostimulation enhancing removals to lower contaminant levels. As part of that study bacterial population shifts that occurred in the groundwater during CAS and air sparging control were evaluated by length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction (LH-PCR) fragment analysis. The results showed that an organism(5) that had a fragment size of 385 base pairs (385 bp) was positively correlated with propane removal rates. The 385 bp fragment consisted of up to 83% of the total fragments in the analysis when propane removal rates peaked. A 16S rRNA clone library made from the bacteria sampled in propane sparged groundwater included clones of a TM7 division bacterium that had a 385bp LH-PCR fragment; no other bacterial species with this fragment size were detected. Both propane removal rates and the 385bp LH-PCR fragment decreased as nitrate levels in the groundwater decreased. In the second study the potential for bioaugmentation of a butane culture was evaluated in a series of field tests conducted at the Moffett Field Air Station in California. A butane-utilizing mixed culture that was effective in transforming 1, 1-dichloroethene (1, 1-DCE), 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane (1, 1, 1-TCA), and 1, 1-dichloroethane (1, 1-DCA) was added to the saturated zone at the test site. This mixture of contaminants was evaluated since they are often present as together as the result of 1, 1, 1-TCA contamination and the abiotic and biotic transformation of 1, 1, 1-TCA to 1, 1-DCE and 1, 1-DCA. Model simulations were performed prior to the initiation of the field study. The simulations were performed with a transport code that included processes for in-situ cometabolism, including microbial growth and decay, substrate and oxygen utilization, and the cometabolism of dual contaminants (1, 1-DCE and 1, 1, 1-TCA). Based on the results of detailed kinetic studies with the culture, cometabolic transformation kinetics were incorporated that butane mixed-inhibition on 1, 1-DCE and 1, 1, 1-TCA transformation, and competitive inhibition of 1, 1-DCE and 1, 1, 1-TCA on butane utilization. A transformation capacity term was also included in the model formation that results in cell loss due to contaminant transformation. Parameters for the model simulations were determined independently in kinetic studies with the butane-utilizing culture and through batch microcosm tests with groundwater and aquifer solids from the field test zone with the butane-utilizing culture added. In microcosm tests, the model simulated well the repetitive utilization of butane and cometabolism of 1.1, 1-TCA and 1, 1-DCE, as well as the transformation of 1, 1-DCE as it was repeatedly transformed at increased aqueous concentrations. Model simulations were then performed under the transport conditions of the field test to explore the effects of the bioaugmentation dose and the response of the system to tile biostimulation with alternating pulses of dissolved butane and oxygen in the presence of 1, 1-DCE (50 $\mu$g/L) and 1, 1, 1-TCA (250 $\mu$g/L). A uniform aquifer bioaugmentation dose of 0.5 mg/L of cells resulted in complete utilization of the butane 2-meters downgradient of the injection well within 200-hrs of bioaugmentation and butane addition. 1, 1-DCE was much more rapidly transformed than 1, 1, 1-TCA, and efficient 1, 1, 1-TCA removal occurred only after 1, 1-DCE and butane were decreased in concentration. The simulations demonstrated the strong inhibition of both 1, 1-DCE and butane on 1, 1, 1-TCA transformation, and the more rapid 1, 1-DCE transformation kinetics. Results of tile field demonstration indicated that bioaugmentation was successfully implemented; however it was difficult to maintain effective treatment for long periods of time (50 days or more). The demonstration showed that the bioaugmented experimental leg effectively transformed 1, 1-DCE and 1, 1-DCA, and was somewhat effective in transforming 1, 1, 1-TCA. The indigenous experimental leg treated in the same way as the bioaugmented leg was much less effective in treating the contaminant mixture. The best operating performance was achieved in the bioaugmented leg with about over 90%, 80%, 60 % removal for 1, 1-DCE, 1, 1-DCA, and 1, 1, 1-TCA, respectively. Molecular methods were used to track and enumerate the bioaugmented culture in the test zone. Real Time PCR analysis was used to on enumerate the bioaugmented culture. The results show higher numbers of the bioaugmented microorganisms were present in the treatment zone groundwater when the contaminants were being effective transformed. A decrease in these numbers was associated with a reduction in treatment performance. The results of the field tests indicated that although bioaugmentation can be successfully implemented, competition for the growth substrate (butane) by the indigenous microorganisms likely lead to the decrease in long-term performance.

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Characterization of B Cells of Lymph Nodes and Peripheral Blood in a Patient with Hyper IgM Syndrome (Hyper IgM Syndrome 환자에서 얻은 림프절 및 말초혈액 B세포의 특성)

  • Kim, Dong Soo;Shin, Kyuong Mi;Yang, Woo Ick;Shin, Jeon-Soo;Song, Chang Hwa;Jo, Eun Kyeong
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.128-136
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : Hyper IgM syndrome(HIGM) is characterized by severe recurrent bacterial infections with decreased serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE but elevated IgM levels. Recently, it has been classified into three groups; HIGM1, HIGM2 and a rare form of HIGM. HIGM1 is a X-linked form of HIGM and has now been identified as a T-cell deficiency in which mutations occur in the gene that encodes the CD40 ligand molecule. HIGM2 is an autosomal recessive form of HIGM. Molecular studies have shown that the mutation of HIGM2 is in the gene that encodes activation-induced cytidine deaminase(AID). Recently, another rare form of X-linked HIGM syndrome associated with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia has been identified. We encountered a patient with a varient form of HIGM2. To clarify the cause of this form of HIGM, we evaluated the peripheral B cells of this patient. Methods : The lymphocytes of the patient were prepared from peripheral blood. B cells were immortalized with the infection of EBV. Cell cycle analysis was done with the immortalized B cells of the patient. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal anti-CD40L antibody. Total RNA was extracted from the peripheral mononuclear cells. After RT-PCR, direct sequencing for CD40L gene and HuAID gene were done. Immunostainings of a lymph node for CD3, CD23, CD40, Fas-L, bcl-2, BAX were done. Results : The peripheral B cells of this patient showed normal expression of CD40L molecule and normal sequencing of CD40L gene, and also normal sequencing of AID gene. Interestingly, the peripheral B cells of this patient showed a decreased population of G2/mitosis phase in cell cycles which recovered to normal with the stimulation of IL-4. Conclusion : We suspect that the cause of increased serum IgM in this patient may be from a decrease of G2/mitosis phase of the peripheral B cells, which may be from the decreased production or secretion of IL-4. Therefore, this may be a new form of HIGM.

Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis Native Strains for Plant Growth Promotion and Induced Systemic Resistance in Tomato and Red-pepper (토마토, 고추의 생육촉진 및 병 저항성 의 농업적 활용을 위한 토착 Bacillus subtilis의 생물활성 평가)

  • Park, Jin-Woo;Jahaggirdar, Shamarao;Cho, Yung-Eun;Park, Kyoung-Soo;Lee, Seo-Hyun;Park, Kyung-Seok
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.407-414
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    • 2010
  • Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from different regions of Korea were screened for their plant growth promotion and induced systemic resistance (ISR) in tomato and red-pepper. The plant growth promotion on red-pepper and tomato revealed maximum plant height (22.73 cm) on red pepper treated with B. subtilis strain JE 21-1 and 30.18cm in case of tomato treated with B. subtilis strain JE 8-1. There was also significant improvement in root and shoot dry weight in both the plants. The strain JE 21-1 showed better promise for all growth parameters in red-pepper and tomato when compared to other strains and positive check BTH. Different strains screened in square plate method also revealed maximum plant height and leaf width, and suppressed anthracnose on red pepper in case of strain JE 21-1 at $10^6$ and $10^7$ cells/ml when compared to other strains. In all the bacterial inoculations the population was significantly high when compared to untreated check. In plant growth promotion with respect to fruit length and weight, fruit length was maximal in treating with JE 9-4 and ES 2-2, while fruit weight was maximal in treating with JE 3-6, ES4-2, ES2-2 and JE 21-2 on red pepper. In case of tomato, comparatively better fruit weight was in JE 21-1, ES 3-3 and JE 10-2 when compared to BTH and untreated control. The soft rot disease caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum SCCI was completely suppressed in case of transgenic tobacco harboring GUS gene related to PR1a and increased the level of salicylic acid significantly in combined application of JE 9-4 on par with BTH. Thus, this study clarified some potential Bacillus subtilis strains for plant growth promotion and ISR in red-pepper and tomato.

Effect of the Concentration of Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Organically Cultivated Hot-Pepper (휴믹산 농도가 유기농 고추의 생육 및 수량에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Min-Jeong;Shim, Chang-Ki;Kim, Yong-Ki;Park, Jong-Ho;Han, Eun-Jung;Ko, Byong-Gu
    • Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.67-78
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid on the germination, the growth and the yield of hot pepper when treated with organic hot pepper seedlings and growing season. The germination rate of 0.05% and 0.1% humic acid was higher than that of untreated, but the germination rates of 0.4% and 1.0% humic acid were 90.0% and 86.7%, respectively, compared with the control treatment (96.7%). At 30 days after transplanting, hot pepper treated with low (0.05%) or high (1.0%) concentration of humic acid decreased the growth of hot pepper seedlings, whereas 0.2% humic acid treatment significantly increased a average height (97.6 cm), leaf number (84.7) and fresh weight ($128.1g\;plant^{-1}$) of hot pepper. After 60 days of treatment with humic acid, the height of hot pepper was significantly longer in 0.2% humic acid. The mean green fruit number of 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.05% humic acid were not significantly different among the treatments, but the mean green pepper number of 0.4% and 1.0% humic acid treatments were the higher with 35.2% and 29.1%, respectively than other treatments. However, the fresh weight of green pepper was found to be $111.5g\;plant^{-1}$ more heavier than the untreated in 0.2% humic acid. The total ($5.8kg\;plant^{-1}$) and average ($1.4kg\;plant^{-1}$) fresh weight of pepper were higher than that of untreated control, except for the 1.0% humic acid treatment after 60 days of soil irrigation. The total weight of hot pepper treated with 0.2% and 0.1% humic acid treatment was $9.3kg\;plant^{-1}$ and $8.6kg\;plant^{-1}$, respectively, which were heavier than the other treatments. The effect of humic acid concentrations on soil microbial populations, pH and EC was investigated. The soil bacterial population density of 0.2% humic acid treatment was 3.5 times higher than that of untreated control soil. As the concentration of humic acid increased from 0.05% to 1.0%, pH and EC of hot pepper grown soil also increased.

Effects of Storage Temperature on the Survival of Vibrio mimicus K-1 in Seawater and Arkshell (해수와 피조개에서 Vibrio mimicus K-1의 생존에 대한 보관온도의 영향)

  • KOH Byeong-Ho;LEE Won-Dong;ANN Sung-Kee;KIM Ji-Hoe;LEE Myung-Suk
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.277-281
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    • 1997
  • The cell density changes of Vibrio mimicus K-1 in sea water and arkshell feeding it were examined at various temperature. The strain was suspended in sterilized sea water and storaged at experimental temperature $(5,\;10,\;15,\;20,\;and\;28^{\circ}C)$). At intervals of up to 10 days, aliquots of each suspension were plated onto BHI agar. At 5 and $10^{\circ}C$, the plate counts of V. mimicus K-1 showed a rapid decline, which 3s known to be a reault of this bacterium's entering into the viable but non culturable state. At 20 and $28^{\circ}C$, however, V. mimicus K-1 are stable over the 10 days experimental periods. V. mimicus K-1 was fed to arkshell, which was subsequently stored at temperatures ranging from 5 to $20^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. The samples of arkshell were homogenized and plated at intervals to determine the cell density of V. mimicus K-1 and total aerobic population of bacteria present. At 5 and $10^{\circ}C$, the numbers of V. mimicus K-1 in sea water rapid decreased over the 10 days experimental periods. However, little change of V. mimicus K-1 density was observed in shellstock arkshell at 5 and $10^{\circ}C$. While, V. mimicus K-1 density was decreased more rapidly to level below limit of dectection in shucked arkshell at same temperature. Incubation at the higher temperature $(20^{\circ}C)$ resulted in large increase in total aerobic bacterial number of shellstock arkshell. These results suggest that even with proper storage, indigenous levels of V. mimicus may remain sufficiently high in shellstock arkshell to produce infection in compromise hosts.

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Clinical Characteristics of Pneumococcal Bacteremia in Adults : The Effect of Penicillin Resistance on the Mortality of Patients with Pneumococcal Bacteremia (폐렴구균 균혈증에서 폐렴구균의 페니실린 내성 여부가 사망률에 미치는 영향)

  • HwangBo, Bin;Yoon, Ho-Il;Lee, Sang-Min;Choi, Seung-Ho;Park, Gye-Young;Yoo, Chul-Gyu;Lee, Choon-Taek;Kim, Young-Whan;Han, Sung-Koo;Min, Kyung-Up;Kim, You-Young;Shim, Young-Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.2
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    • pp.184-194
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    • 1999
  • Backgrounds : The advent of penicillin has led to the marked reduction in the mortality from pneumococcal bacteremia, however, the mortality is still relatively high in this post-antibiotic era. Actually the prevalence of infection due to penicillin-resistant penumococci is increasing worldwide, and it is especially high in Korea due to irrelevant use of antibiotics. So, the high mortality of pneumococcal sepsis might be related to the emergence of penicillin-resistant strains, however, many other antibiotics, which eradicate pneumococci effectively, are available in these days. This has led us to suspect the role of penicillin-resistance in the high mortality rate. In this study, we evaluated the effect of penicillin resistance on the mortality of patients with penumococcal bacte remia. Methods: The study population consisted of 50 adult patients with penumococcal bacteremia who were admitted between Jan, 1990 and July, 1997. Medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Most of the patients (96%) had underlying diseases. The most common local disease associated with pneumococcal bacteremia was pneumonia (42%), which was followed by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (14%), cholangitis (10%), meningitis (8%), liver abscess (4%), pharyngotonsillitis (4%), sinusitis (2%) and cellulitis (2%). While the overall case-fatality rate in this study was 24%, it was higher when peumococcal bacteremia was associated with pneumonia (42%) or meningitis (50%). The rate of penicillin resistance was 40%, which was increased rapidly from 1991. The rate of penicillin resistance was significantly higher in patients with the history of recent antibiotics use and hospitalization within 3 months respectively. The clinical manifestations, that is, age, severity of underlying diseases, nosocomial infection, associated local diseases, and the presence of shock or acute renal failure were not statistically different between the patients with penicillin-resistant and -sensitive pneumococcal bacteremia. The mortality of patients infected with penicillin-resistant pneumococci was not statistically different from those with penicillin-sensitive pneumococcal bacteremia. Conclusion: Penicillin resistance is not associated with high mortality in adult patients with pneumococcal bacteremia. As the overall mortality is high, active penumococcal vaccination is recommended in patients with high risk of infection.

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