• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.315-325
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• 2016

A novel esterase gene, est7K, was isolated from a compost metagenomic library. The gene encoded a protein of 411 amino acids and the molecular mass of the Est7K was estimated to be 44,969 Da with no signal peptide. Est7K showed the highest identity of 57% to EstA3, which is an esterase from a drinking water metagenome, when compared with the enzymes with reported properties. Est7K had three motifs, SMTK, YSV, and WGG, which correspond to the typical motifs of family VIII esterases, SxxK, Yxx, and WGG, respectively. Est7K did not have the GxSxG motif in most lipolytic enzymes. Three additional motifs, LxxxPGxxW, PLGMxDTxF, and GGxG, were found to be conserved in family VIII enzymes. The results of the phylogenetic analysis and the alignment study suggest that family VIII enzymes could be classified into two subfamilies, VIII.1 and VIII.2. The purified Est7K was optimally active at 40ºC and pH 10.0. It was activated to exhibit a 2.1-fold higher activity by the presence of 30% methanol. It preferred short-length p-nitrophenyl esters, particularly p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and efficiently hydrolyzed glyceryl tributyrate. It did not hydrolyze β-lactamase substrates, tertiary alcohol esters, glyceryl trioleate, fish oil, and olive oil. Est7K preferred an S-enantiomer, such as (S)-methyl-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, as the substrate. The tolerance to methanol and the substrate specificity may provide potential advantage in the use of the enzyme in pharmaceutical and other biotechnological processes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.394-401
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• 2016

Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, a genome editing technology, was shown to be versatile in treating several antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the present study, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to kill extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. ESBL bacteria are mostly multidrug resistant (MDR), and have plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes that can be easily transferred to other members of the bacterial community by horizontal gene transfer. To restore sensitivity to antibiotics in these bacteria, we searched for a CRISPR/Cas9 target sequence that was conserved among >1,000 ESBL mutants. There was only one target sequence for each TEM- and SHV-type ESBL, with each of these sequences found in ~200 ESBL strains of each type. Furthermore, we showed that these target sequences can be exploited to re-sensitize MDR cells in which resistance is mediated by genes that are not the target of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, but by genes that are present on the same plasmid as target genes. We believe our Re-Sensitization to Antibiotics from Resistance (ReSAFR) technology, which enhances the practical value of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, will be an effective method of treatment against plasmid-carrying MDR bacteria.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.290-294
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• 2002

Cephradine is an orally absorbed cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and is highly resistant to beta-lactamase degradation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cephradine capules, Cephradine capsule (Donggu Pharmaceutical Co., reference drug) and Cephradine capsule (Shinpoong Pharmaceutical Co., test drug), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration. Twenty-six normal volunteers, 24.6 $\pm$ 3.70 years in age and 62.4 $\pm$ 8.99 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized 2 $\times$ 2 cross-over study was employed. After one capsule containing 250 mg of cephrdine was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of cephrdine in serum were determined using HPLC with UV detector. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as AU $C_{t}$ to $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in AUCt, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ between two products were 2.89％, 1.05％ and 1.06％, respectively, when calculated against the reference drug. The 90％ confidence intervals were within log0.8 $\leq$ $\delta$ $\leq$ log1.25 (e.g., log0.9803 $\leq$ $\delta$ $\leq$ log1.0734 and log0.9674 $\leq$ $\delta$ $\leq$ log1.220 for AU $C_{t}$, and $C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that Cephradine capsules (Shinpoong Pharmaceutical Co.) is bioequivalent to Cephradine capsules (Donggu Pharmaceutical Co.).o.).o.).).o.).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial resistance, presence of ${\beta}$-lactamase genes and integrons in 83 ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from Nakdong river and Geumho river in Daegu. Among the ${\beta}$-lactam antimicrobials, all isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefamandole and cefotaxime, followed by piperacillin (98.8%), ampicillin/sulbactam (86.7%), aztreonam (60.2%) and cefepime (59.0%), whereas resistance to piperacillin/tazobacram, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid and cefoxitin was less than 30%. Many of the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were also resistant to non-${\beta}$-lactams antimicrobials such as nalidixic acid (83.1%), sulfonamides (72.3%), ciprofloxacin (62.7%) and gentamicin (38.6%). All isolates showed resistance to seven or more antimicrobial agents. The most frequently detected gene was $bla_{TEM+CTX-M}$ (49.4%), followed by $bla_{CTX-M}$ (27.7%), $bla_{TEM}$ (6.0%) and $bla_{OXA}$ (1.2%). But $bla_{SHV}$ was not found. Class 1 integrons were found in 61.4% (51 isolates) of isolates, however, class 2 and 3 integrons were not detected. The results showed water from Nakdong river and Geumho river is contaminated with ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. These results suggest the need for further investigation of antibiotic resistant bacteria to prevent public health impacts in the water environment.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 1996

The in vitro activity of LB20304 was evaluated against clinical isolates and compared with those of Q-35, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, lomefloxacin and ofloxacin. LB20304 demonstrated 16-to 64-fold more potent activity than ciprofloxacin against gram-positive bacteria. LB20304 inhibited 90% of the isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus(MSSA) at a concentration of $0.016\mug/ml\; (MIC_{90}). MIC_{90}$ values of LB20304 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis (MSSE), methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) and Streptococcus pneumoniae were $2\mug/ml,\; 0.016\mug/ml,\; 0.5\mug/ml \;and\; 0.031\mug/ml,$ respectively. LB20304 was also very active against gram-negative bacteria. Against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, $MIC_{90}s of\; LB20304 were\; 0.031\mug/ml,\; 0.25\mug/ml,\; 2\mug/ml,\; 8\mug/ml\; and\; 0.5\mug/ml$, respectively. Its activity was comparable to that of ciprofloxacin but much better than those of Q-35, sparfloxacin, ofloxacin and lomefloxacin. LB20304 also exhibited the most potent acitvity among quinolones tested against laboratory standard strains, ofloxacin-resistant strains, .betha.-lactamase-producing strains and anaerobic strains. The inhibitory effect$ (IC_{50)$ of LB20304 on DNA gyrase from Micrococcus luteus, determined by the supercoiling assay, was 8-fold more potent than that of ciprofloxacin. LB20304 did not induce topoisomerase-associated DNA cleavage even at a concentration of 10 mg/ml, although ciprofloxacin induced DNA cleavage at a concentration of 1 mg/ml.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.358-363
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• 2007

Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been implicated in a variety of serious therapeutic problems in clinical environments. Among the 968 P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from two hospitals in Daegu, Korea, we acquired 17 isolates that were resistant to all available tested antimicrobial agents, with the exception of colistin (colistin-only sensitive). We characterized the antimicrobial susceptibilities, $metallo-{\beta}-lactamases$, and epidemiological relatedness among the colistin-only sensitive P. aeruginosa isolates. All colistin-only sensitive isolates were positive in the modified Hodge test and imipenem-EDTA synergy test, thereby indicating the production of $metallo-{\beta}-lactamases$. 11 isolates from the secondary hospital and six isolates from the tertiary teaching hospital harbored $bla_{VIM-2}$ and $bla_{IMP-1}$, respectively. The pulsed-field gel electrophoretic analysis of the SpeI-digested DNA from P. aeruginosa isolates indicated that two different clones of colistin-only sensitive P. aeruginosa originated from each hospital, and had spread within the hospital environment. Overall, colistin-only sensitive P. aeruginosa was detected in Korea for the first time, but no pan-drug resistant bacteria were identified. Nationwide surveillance is required in order to monitor the emergence of colistin-only sensitive or pan-drug resistant bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 1998

Cefixime is an orally absorbed 3rd generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and is highly resistant to $\beta-lactamase$ degradation. This study was carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of a new test drug of cefixime (100 mg/capsule) relative to the reference drug. The bioavailability was conducted on 20 healthy volunteers who received a single dose (400 mg) of the test and the reference drugs in the fasting state, in a randomized balanced 2-way crossover design. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 12 hours. Plasma was analyzed for cefixime by a sensitive and validated HPLC assay. The major pharmacokinetic parameters $(AUC_{0-12hr},\;C_{max},\;T_{max})$ were calculated from the plasma concentration-time data of each volunteer. The $AUC_{0-12hr},\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ of the test drug were $36.91\pm11.85\;{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/ml,\;5.47\pm1.61\;{\mu}g/ml,\;and\;4.00\pm0.65\;hr,$ respectively, and those of the reference drug were $34.08\pm8.81\;{\mu}g{\cdot}hr/ml,\;5.25\pm1.40\;{\mu}g/ml,\;and\;4.20\pm0.62\;hr$, respectively. Mean differences of those parameters were 8.32, 4.29, and $4.76\%$, respectively, and the least significant differences at $\alpha$=0.05 for $AUC_{0-12hr},\;C_{max},\;T_{max}$ were 16.02, 13.78, and $11.76\%$, respectively. In conclusion, the test drug was bioequivalent with the reference drug.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1299-1306
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• 2015

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of the cinnamon bark essential oil (CB), when used singly and also in combination with piperacillin, for its antimicrobial and synergistic activity against beta-lactamase TEM-1 plasmid-conferred Escherichia coli J53 R1. Viable count of bacteria for this combination of essential oil and antibiotic showed a complete killing profile at 20 h and further confirmed its synergistic effect by reducing the bacteria cell numbers. Analysis on the stability of treated cultures for cell membrane permeability by CB when tested against sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed that the bacterial cell membrane was disrupted by the essential oil. Scanning electron microscopy observation and bacterial surface charge measurement also revealed that CB causes irreversible membrane damage and reduces the bacterial surface charge. In addition, bioluminescence expression of Escherichia coli [pSB1075] and E. coli [pSB401] by CB showed reduction, indicating the possibility of the presence of quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. Gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry of the essential oil of Cinnamomum verum showed that trans-cinnamaldehyde (72.81%), benzyl alcohol (12.5%), and eugenol (6.57%) were the major components in the essential oil. From this study, CB has the potential to reverse E. coli J53 R1 resistance to piperacillin through two pathways; modification in the permeability of the outer membrane or bacterial QS inhibition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2014

To characterize the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from Korea in 2008-2011, we screened seven enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and one enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) that produce ESBLs from a nationwide survey. All eight isolates produced CTX-M-type ESBLs, including CTX-M-12 (n = 4), CTX-M-14 (n = 2), and CTX-M-15 (n = 2). PCR-based replicon typing indicated that the $bla_{CTX-M-12}$ genes of four ETEC isolates were carried on a conjugative IncF plasmid, whereas the $bla_{CTX-M-14}$ of one EAEC was located on an IncK plasmid. This is the first report of the occurrence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ genes in clinical isolates of EAEC in Korea. The ESBL-producing isolates were shown to be different based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, whereas the four isolates with CTX-M-12 were clonally related. These observations raise an alarm for the spread of plasmid-mediated resistance to ESBL among diarrheagenic E. coli.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.230-235
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• 2020

The global evolution of antibiotic resistance has threatened the efficacy of available treatment options with ravaging impacts observed in developing countries. As a result, investigations into the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the role of plasmids are crucial. In this study, we investigated the presence and distribution of bla_TEM and gyrA genes, plasmid profiles, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella strains isolated from raw meat and stool sources across Niger State, Nigeria. Ninety-eight samples, comprising 72 raw meat and 26 stool samples, were screened for Salmonella spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolates to 10 commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined using the KirbyBauer disc diffusion method. Isolates were further analyzed for plasmids, in addition to PCR amplification of beta-lactamase (bla_TEM) and gyrA genes. A total of 31 Salmonella spp. were isolated, with 22 from raw meat (70.97%) and 9 from stool (29.03%). Salmonella spp. with multiple resistance patterns to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, and gentamicin were detected. Ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were found to be the most effective among the antibiotics tested, with 67.7% and 93.5% susceptible isolates, respectively. Nine (29.03%) isolates harbored plasmids with molecular sizes ranging between 6557 bp and 23137 bp. PCR amplification of gyrA was detected in 1 (3.23%) of the 31 isolates while 28 isolates (90.32%) were positive for bla_TEM. This study shows the incidence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates and the possible role of plasmids; it also highlights the prevalence of ampicillin resistance in this local population.