• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.644-651
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• 2021

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is a fish pathogen responsible for causing enormous economic loss to the aquaculture industry not only in Korea but worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to identify natural compounds that can be used to control the spread of VHSV. In this study, the anti-VHSV activities of five catechol derivatives, i.e., catechol, pyrogallol, 3-methyl catechol, veratrole, and 3-methyl veratrole-extracted from green tea-were assessed. The antiviral activities of these derivatives were found to be dependent on their structure, i.e., the hydroxyl or methoxyl group and their substituent groups-on the benzene ring. Catechol, pyrogallol, and 3-methyl catechol exhibited relatively high 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities than veratrole, and 3-methyl veratrole. Moreover, 3-methyl catechol harboring a methyl substituent group increased the viability of the virus-infected cells and resulted in a 2.86 log reduction in the gene copies of VHSV N (per mL) in real-time PCR analysis. In conclusion, the catechol derivatives harboring hydroxyl groups in their benzene ring exhibited higher antioxidant activities than those harboring the methoxyl groups. However, catechol derivatives with a methyl group at the 3'-position of the benzene ring exhibited higher antiviral activity than those harboring a hydroxyl group. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between the structure and the anti-VHSV activity of catechol derivatives.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2023

Concerns about foodborne illnesses caused by Kudoa septempunctata are steadily growing, but reports of K. septempunctata in clinical and food specimens related to food poisoning in Korea are limited. This study aimed to genetically identify K. septempunctata in patients with acute diarrhea and in clinical and food samples related to food poisoning caused by sashimi consumption. Both real-time and nested polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect K. septempunctata 18S and 28S rDNA genes in the stools of 348 patients with acute diarrhea, 11 samples (6 stool and 5 rectal swab samples) from patients with food poisoning, and 2 raw Paralichthys olivaceus samples collected from a restaurant where a food poisoning incident occurred. K. septempunctata was identified in 5 clinical specimens (4 stools and 1 rectal swab) and 1 P. olivaceus sashimi sample. All detected K. septempunctata were of genotype ST3. This is the first study to identify K. septempunctata in both patients and food samples with epidemiological relevance in Korea, providing evidence that it is a pathogen that causes food poisoning. Also, this is the first study to confirm the presence of K. septempunctata genes in rectal swabs. Despite continuing suspected occurrences of Kudoa foodborne outbreaks, the rate of identification of K. septempunctata is very low. One reason for this is the limitation in obtaining stool and vomit samples for the diagnosis of Kudoa infection. We strongly suggest the inclusion of rectal swabs among the diagnostic specimens for Kudoa food poisoning.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2013

In this study, we evaluated the ability of various disinfectants to suppress the growth of microorganisms in fresh-cut products and organic vegetable. The growth of more than 50% of B. cereus isolates were suppressed by 50% ethanol, 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, 0.4% sodium hypochlorite or 1% calcium oxide. E. coli generally showed high susceptibility to concentration of 10% ethanol, 0.4% sodium hypochlorite and 1% calcium oxide. Eighty percent or more of S. aureus isolates exhibited resistance to ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite, but the isolates were susceptible to concentrations of 1% calcium oxide. All isolates evaluated in this study were sensitive to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and growth in the presence of $2.0{\mu}g/mL$ of BAC was completely inhibited. These pathogens showed widely different susceptibilities to different organic acids. Greater than 0.5% acetic acid and 2% and higher concentrations of malic acid and tartaric acid inhibited the growth of 60% of the isolates of B. cereus. Two percent acetic acid and tartaric acid inhibited 50% of the S. aureus isolates. Seventy percent of the E. coli isolates were resistant to malic acid and susceptible to 1% acetic acid and 10% tartaric acid. The antibacterial effects of the various sanitizers evaluated in this study were not only dependent on the type of disinfectant but also on the pathogen. Thus, it is important to select a sanitizer that is safe and effective at removing specific types of microorganisms.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2014

Campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent foodborne pathogen worldwide. Human infection by C. jejuni primarily arises from contaminated poultry meats. Genes expressed in vivo may play an important role in the pathogenicity of C. jejuni. We applied an immunoscreening method, in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT), to identify in vivo-induced genes during human infection by C. jejuni. An inducible expression library of genomic proteins was constructed from sequenced C. jejuni NCTC 11168 and was then screened using adsorbed, pooled human sera obtained from clinical patients. We successfully identified 24 unique genes expressed in vivo. These genes were implicated in metabolism, molecular biosynthesis, genetic information processing, transport, and other processes. We selected six genes with different functions to compare their expression levels in vivo and in vitro using real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that the selected six genes were significantly upregulated in vivo but not in vitro. In short, these identified in vivo-induced genes may contribute to human infection of C. jejuni, some of which may be meaningful vaccine candidate antigens or diagnosis serologic markers for campylobacteriosis. IVIAT may present a significant and efficient method for understanding the pathogenicity mechanism of Campylobacter and for finding targets for its prevention and control.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.258-269
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• 2018

Objectives: There was an outbreak of foodborne and waterborne disease among high school students at Okcheon in June, 2018. First attack occurred June $5^{th}$ but seven days later it was notified. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the pathogen of outbreak and cause of delayed notification. Methods: First, we did a questionnaire survey for 61 cases and 122 controls to find what symptoms they had and whether they ate foods or drank water from June $2^{nd}$ to June $12^{th}$. Second, we investigated the environment of cafeteria and drinking water. Third, we examined specimen of cases and environment to identify bacteria or virus. Results: Attack rate of this outbreak was 7.8%. Drinking water was strongly suspected as a source of infection in questionnaire survey but we could not find the exact time of exposure. Norovirus was identified in specimen of cases (2 students), drinking water (at main building and dormitory) and cafeteria (knife, dishtowel, hand of chef) Conclusions: We decided norovirus as the pathogen of this outbreak based on the clinical features of cases with diarrhea vomiting, abdominal pain and recovery within 2 or 3 days after onset, outbreak due to drinking water and microbiologic examination, And the cause of delayed notification might be the non-existence of the nurse teacher at that time and the lack of understanding of teachers on immediate notification under the outbreak. To prevent the delayed notification, notification system about outbreak of foodborne and waterborne disease in school is needed to be improved.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

Minimum infective dose (MID) data has been recognized as an important and absolutely needed in quantitative microbiological assessment (QMRA). In this study, we performed a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis to better quantify this association. The meta-analysis applied a final selection of 82 published papers for total 12 species foodborne disease pathogens (bacteria 9, virus 2, and parasite 1 species) which were identified and classified based on the dose-response models related to QMRA studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect database and internet websites during 1980-2012. The main search keywords used the combination "food", "foodborne disease pathogen", "minimum infective dose", and "quantitative microbiological risk assessment". The appropriate minimum infective dose for B. cereus, C. jejuni, Cl. perfringens, Pathogenic E. coli (EHEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC), L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., S. aureus, V. parahaemolyticus, Hepatitis A virus, Noro virus, and C. pavum were $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.32), 500 cells/g (fi = 0.57), $10^7cells/g$ (fi = 0.56), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.47) / $10^8cells/g$ (fi = 0.71) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.70) / $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.60), $10^2{\sim}10^3cells/g$ (fi = 0.23), 10 cells/g (fi = 0.30), 100 cells/g (fi = 0.32), $10^5cells/g$ (fi = 0.45), $10^6cells/g$ (fi = 0.64), $10{\sim}10^2particles/g$ (fi = 0.33), 10 particles/g (fi = 0.71), and $10{\sim}10^2oocyst/g$ (fi = 0.33), respectively. Therefore, these results provide the preliminary data necessary for the development of foodborne pathogens QMRA.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.437-444
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• 2016

Rapid and reliable identification of microorganisms is important to maintain food quality and to control safety. MALDI-TOF MS-based identification methods are relatively fast and simple compared to other conventional methods including gram staining and biochemical characterization. A colony on subcultured media can be directly prepared on the analysis plate without further complex treatments. In this study, we confirmed the applicability of MALDI-TOF MS-based identification of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis/Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Cronobacter sakazakii on the Korea Food Standard Codex. MALDI-TOF MS data of the pathogenic reference strains were incorporated into a commercial MicroID (ASTA Inc.) database. Other pathogenic reference strains and seven isolates from various food samples were correctly identified to the species level by using the MicroID database. In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS is comparable with commercial biochemical identification.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2018

Salmonella infections in livestock industry cause various problems such as worsening animal welfare and productivity, damaging consumer confidence in the food safety of animal products. Chicken meat and eggs are known as major source of pathogen causing human foodborne infections. Therefore food safety concerns have prompted the poultry producers and governments to introduce the strategy and regulation to control these pathogens. Salmonella can persist for long periods of time in a wide range of spaces including feed bin, feed processing facilities, poultry farm, slaughterhouse, processing plants, etc. For the effective and constant Salmonella control, combination of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest measures should be considered comprehensively. The control measures would be most effective at farm level where the contamination initiates. Transmission of pathogen from feed origin to the live poultry and finally to the products was proven already. To control bacteria in the feed ingredients and formula feed, thermal processing, irradiation or chemical treatment may be applied. Chemical treatments to inhibit Salmonella in the feed involve the use of products containing organic acids, formaldehyde, or a combination of such compounds. However, recontamination which might occur during storage and transport process and/or by other various factors should always be under control and eliminated. Feed additives used to control Salmonella in birds' gastrointestinal track can be of various types, including prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and bacteriophages. Although their mode of action varies, they ultimately inhibit the colonization of Salmonella in the gut and improve the performance of birds. This review describes the strategies that could be adapted to the management of feedstuffs and the use of feed additives in pre-harvest stage to control Salmonella contamination in poultry farming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 2014

Chicken are considered as the most important source of human infection by Campylobacter jejuni, which primarily arises from contaminated poultry meats. However, the genes expressed in vivo of the interaction between chicken and C. jejuni have not been screened. In this regard, in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT) was applied to identify expressed genes in vivo during interaction between chicken and C. jejuni, a prevalent foodborne pathogen worldwide. Chicken sera were obtained by inoculating C. jejuni NCTC 11168 into Leghorn chickens through oral and intramuscular administration. Pooled chicken sera, adsorbed against in vitro-grown cultures of C. jejuni, were used to screen the inducible expression library of genomic proteins from sequenced C. jejuni NCTC 11168. Finally, 28 unique genes expressed in vivo were successfully identified after secondary and tertiary screenings with IVIAT. The genes were implicated in metabolism, molecular biosynthesis, genetic information processing, transport, regulation and other processes, in addition to Cj0092, with unknown function. Several potential virulence-associated genes were found to be expressed in vivo, including chuA, flgS, cheA, rplA, and Cj0190c. We selected four genes with different functions to compare their expression levels in vivo and in vitro using real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated that these selected genes were significantly upregulated in vivo but not in vitro. In short, the expressed genes in vivo may act as potential virulence-associated genes, the protein encoded by which may be meaningful vaccine candidate antigens for campylobacteriosis. IVIAT provides an important and efficient strategy for understanding the interaction mechanisms between Campylobacter and hosts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2023

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a foodborne pathogen that produces attaching and effacing lesions on the large intestine and causes hemorrhagic colitis. It is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated meat or fresh produce. Similar to other bacterial pathogens, antibiotic resistance is of concern for EHEC. Furthermore, since the production of Shiga toxin by this pathogen is enhanced after antibiotic treatment, alternative agents that control EHEC are necessary. This study aimed to discover alternative treatments that target virulence factors and reduce EHEC toxicity. The locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) is essential for EHEC attachment to host cells and virulence, and most of the LEE genes are positively regulated by the transcriptional regulator, Ler. GrlA protein, a transcriptional activator of ler, is thus a potential target for virulence inhibitors of EHEC. To identify the GrlA inhibitors, an in vivo high-throughput screening (HTS) system consisting of a GrlA-expressing plasmid and a reporter plasmid was constructed. Since the reporter luminescence gene was fused to the ler promoter, the bioluminescence would decrease if inhibitors affected the GrlA. By screening 8,201 compounds from the Korea Chemical Bank, we identified a novel GrlA inhibitor named Grlactin [3-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]-4-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-one], which suppresses the expression of LEE genes. Grlactin significantly diminished the adhesion of EHEC strain EDL933 to human epithelial cells without inhibiting bacterial growth. These findings suggest that the developed screening system was effective at identifying GrlA inhibitors, and Grlactin has potential for use as a novel anti-adhesion agent for EHEC while reducing the incidence of resistance.