• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.4 s.84
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• pp.482-492
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• 2007

Infection with Shiga-like toxin (SLT)-producing Escherichia coli causes a spectrum of illnesses with high morbidity and mortality. Host mediators play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLT-I toxicity. We here investigated the effect of SLT-I on tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ production, effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on glycolipid globotriaosyleramide (Gb3) expression, and relationship between Gb3 level and differential susceptibility of cells to SLT-I. In this study, we observed that detectable levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ are produced 6 hrs after induction and continued to increase during 48 hrs by SLT-I. It was also found that Vero cells and dendritic cells expressed high levels of Gb3, 83% and 68%, respectively, and that macrophages had a low level of Gb3 (29%) and showed refractory to cytotoxicity against SLT-I. Vero cells and dendritic cells expressing high levels of Gb3 were highly susceptible to SLT-I. furthermore, macrophages showed a resistance to SLT-I cytotoxicity, despite the fact that Gb3 expression was enhanced. These results suggest that the expression of Gb3 is necessary, but not sufficient to confer sensitivity of macrophages to SLT-I and further underpin the important role of SLT-I and its receptor, Gb3, in the pathogenesis of E. coli O157 infection.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 1999

A total of 136 coliform bacteria isolated from spring water (112 strains) and ground water (24 strains), submitted to Seoul Health and Environmental Research Institute from June to July in 1997, were characterized biochemically and microbiologically. Colonical characteristics of each isolate were also noted, including color and texture on EMB agar. Among the 136 isolates, 50.7% were greenish metallic sheen color, 44.2% were pink and 5.1% were violet. The sixty four percent were smooth, 34.6% were mucoid and 0.7%. were rough. Twenty three bacterial species were identified by IMViC and API 20E test. Among the 136 coliform bacteria known to species, 39 isolates (28.6%) were Escherichia spp., 32 isolates (23.5%) were Klebsiella ssp., 30 isolates (22.1%) were Enterobacter spp., 19 isolates (14.0%) were Serratia spp., 6 isolates (4.4%) were Citrobacter spp., 4 isolates (3.0%) were Kluyvera spp. and 7 isolates (5.1%) were other bacterial species. Strains, which were gas-positive in lactose broth but gas-negative in Kligler Iron Agar were Ent. intermedium, Ser. liquefaciens, Ser. marcescenes and Salmonella arizoae. Strains, which were H2S production were also Kleb. pneumoniae, Kleb. oxytoca, Kleb. ornithinolytica, Ent. sahazahii, Ent. cloacae, Ser. liquefaciens, Ser. fica ria, Cit. freundii and Sal. arizoae. In the present study, most of coliform isolated from spring and ground water were E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. Since coliform with pink colony in EMB agar was isolated as frequent as coliform with greenish metallic sheen colony, coliform with pink colony should be considered as important colony. Our results suggested that new coliform strains may be emerging on the basis of biochemical and microbiological testes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.896-904
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the probiotic characteristics and immune activities of selected lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains as feed additives in livestock. 301 LAB strains isolated from traditional fermented foods were first assessed for their antibacterial activity potential. Of the 301 isolates, five showed antibacterial activity against five livestock pathogens (Esherichia coli KCCM11234, Listeria monocytogens KCTC3710, Salmonella Typhimurium KCTC1926, Staphylococcus aureus KCCM11593, and Shigella flexneri KCTC2517). The probiotic characteristics of the five selected strains were also investigated by antioxidative activity, hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase, acid resistance and bile tolerance. The SRCM102607 strain was found to have superior probiotic properties and was selected for further experimentation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that SRCM102607 is Pediococcus acidilactici, which was labeled as P. acidilactici SRCM102607 (KCCM 12246P). The survival characteristics of P. acidilactici SRCM102607 in artificial gastrointestinal conditions were assessed under exposed acidic (pH 2.0) and bile (0.5% and 1.0%) conditions. P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was also confirmed to have resistance to various antibiotics, including amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and etc. The TNF-α production by P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was 171.86±4.00 ng/ml. These results show that P. acidilactici RCM102607 has excellent potential for use as a probiotic livestock feed additive.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.342-346
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• 2021

Cold brew coffee extracted from cold water for a long time has drawn public concern over hygiene. This study was carried out to investigate the microbiological contamination levels and caffeine contents in cold brew coffee. A total of 75 cold brew coffees were purchased from offline and online sources. As a result, the average number of bacteria in samples purchased online was 1.14 log CFU/mL (0-6.57 log CFU/mL), while bacteria were not detected in samples purchased offline. Therefore, stricter surveys are required to avoid the food contamination. However, Esherichia coli and nine types of foodborne pathogens were not detected in all samples. The average caffeine content of the samples was 1.6 mg/mL (384 mg/240 mL), so the caffeine almost reached to acceptable daily intake levels (400 mg for adults). However, ten products did not provide any precautions for consumer safety, so improvement of the system is needed. This monitoring data can contribute to the protection of consumer rights and improvement in the safety of cold brew coffee.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2008

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the applications of plant-based extracts to both cosmetic and medicinal industries. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect of P. rigida extracts by water and ethyl acetate. Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effect of P. rigida extracts by water and EtOAc were investigated by using nitrite scavenging ability, nitric oxide production and anti-microbial ability. In the test of nitrite scavenging ability, P. rigida extracts by water and EtOAc showed 88.7% and 99% at 100 ppm concentration, respectively. The cell viability was measured using the MTT assay at 24 hours after P. rigida extracts as shown in over 80%. Anti-inflammatory effect was examined in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NO productions in LPS and P. rigida extracts stimulated group were decreased in a concentration and were dependent on time as compared with LPS stimulated. The water extracts showed the highest inhibition at the 100 ppm concentration. In anti-microbial activity test, the water extract with 3.0 mg/disc resulted in the clear zone of 14 mm, and ethyl acetate with that of 15 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. However, P. rigida extracts didn't show any growth inhibitory effect on Esherichia coli. These results indicate that the extracts of P. rigida have anti-inflammatory activities as a cosmeceuticals.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first three days in very low birth weight infants. Methods: The medical records of 1,124 very low birth weight infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center between November 1994 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors, and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first 3 days of life in very low birth weight infants were evaluated. Results: Early onset sepsis, as confirmed by positive blood cultures, was present in 17 of 1,124 infants (1.5%). Sixty-four percent of the isolated pathogens were gram-positive bacteria and 35% of the isolated pathogens were gram-negative bacteria. The dominant pathogens of early onset sepsis included Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%), Esherichia coli (23.5%), and Enterococcus (17.6%). Vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.3; P=0.01) was associated with early onset sepsis. The overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4-6.5; adjusted P=0.0039) and mortality within 72 hours of life (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.2-18.9; adjusted P=0.0005) of infants with early onset sepsis were higher than that of uninfected infants. Conclusion: Early onset sepsis remains an uncommon, but potentially lethal problem among very low birth weight infants. Knowledge of the likely causative organisms and risk factors for early onset sepsis can aid in instituting prompt and appropriate therapy, in order to minimize mortality.