• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

I isolated the actinomycete strain KH223 from soil samples collected from the Kye Ryong mountain area. This strain is antagonistic to the multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. KH223 was confirmed as belonging to the genus Streptomyces based on the scanning electronmicroscopy(SEM) observations of the diaminopimelicacid(DAP) type and morphological and physiological characteristics. Comparison of the 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences revealed that KH223 has a relationship with Streptomyces galbus. Production of antibiotics by KH223 was most favorable when cultured on a glucose, polypeptone, and yeast extract(PY) medium for 6 days at 27$^{\circ}C$. The supernatant was found to exhibit an antimicrobial effect on various kinds of bacteria and fungi. Particularly, butanol and ethylacetate extracts of KH223 and cyclo(trp-trp) exhibited significant activity against A. baumannii at concentration ranges of 0.8-12.5 ${\mu}g$/mL, 5.0-25 ${\mu}g$/mL and 12.5${\rightarrow}$100 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. Moreover, in contrast to cyclo(trp-trp) had shown to activity against Micrococcus luteus JCM 1464 at the concentration of 12.5 ${\mu}g$/mL, the butanol extract of KH223 showed significant activity against Bacillus subtilis IAM 1069 and Micrococcus luteus JCM 1464 at the concentration of 0.4 and 0.8 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. These results suggest that KH223 may have a great potential in the production of new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens and further studies may be warranted for the same.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Background: Acinetobacter infections are difficult to treat as they often exhibit multiple resistance to the antibiotics that are currently available for the treatment of pneumonia. Colistin is active against gram-negative bacteria, including the multiple drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species. However, intravenous administration of colistin was abandoned because of its nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The aims of this study were to examine the efficacy and safety of colistin administered by aerosol in the treatment of pneumonia caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from Dec. 2006 to Aug. 2007 who had been diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and had been treated with nebulized colistin. Results: 31 patients received aerosolized colistin. The average duration of the treatment was $14{\pm}7$ days and the daily dose of ranged from 225 mg to 300 mg. All patients received concomitant intravenous antimicrobial agents. The average length of the stay in the ICU was $34{\pm}21$ days and in the hospital $58{\pm}52$ days. The overall microbiological eradication was observed in 25 patients (80.6%). 14 of these (56%) were cured, and 11 (44%) were infected with other microorganisms. The overall crude mortality of the ICU was 48%. Nephrotoxicity and significant bronchial constriction did not occur in any patient during neublized colistin treatment. Conclusion: Nebulized colistin may be a safe and effective option in the treatment of pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Its role in therapy warrants further investigation in comparative studies.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.303-307
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• 2010

Acinetobacter baumannii 1625, a clinical isolate identified by Vitek and 16S rDNA sequence, showed an extended resistance to most ${\beta}$-lactams including imipenem, kanamycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and cephalosporins of the third and fourth generations, and produced metallo-${\beta}$-lactamase (MBL) of IMP-1 type which is rare in Korea. The isolate contained a class 1 integron of about 2.5 kb in size and the integron included accA4 (aminoglycoside resistance gene), $bla_{IMP-1}$ (carbapenem resistance gene), and $bla_{OXA-2}$ (extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactam resistance gene) gene cassettes in order. The coexistence of IMP-1 type and OXA-2 type ${\beta}$-lactamase gene cassettes in an integron has not been reported in Korea. The transformed integron rendered the E. coli transformant resistant more than eight folds against imipenem, ampicilin, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefoperazone, and aztreonam comparing to the reference strain. This study clearly showed that the extended multi-drug resistance of A. baumannii 1625 was mainly due to the integron.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors which influence the management of MultiDrug -Resistant Organisms (MDROs) by nurses in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Methods: Data were collected from December 8 to 20, 2013 and participants were 163 ICU nurses working in one general hospital. The Health Belief Model tool and knowledge and management of MDROs infection tools were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variances, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Knowledge, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits had a significant influence on MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus,) and MDRAB (Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii) infection management when all the other variables were considered. Significant variable which had influence on VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Eenterococci) infection management were perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits. Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits had significant influence on MDROs infection management. Emphasis needs to be on the perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits of MDROs infection management when providing an educational program for ICU nurses.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.653-659
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• 2016

The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between the amount of antimicrobial agent (Defined Daily Dose, DDD) and antimicrobial resistance rate (%). The treatment of infectious diseases is becoming increasingly difficult, due to the increase in the number of multi-drug resistant bacteria, making it a clinically significant problem. Among the various factors, antimicrobial abuse is a major cause of antimicrobial resistance. The study was conducted on inpatients in a secondary university hospital in the central region utilizing the hospital's computerized statistical data and microbiological program of laboratory medicine from January 2010 to December 2014 pertaining to the dose of antimicrobial drugs for Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli strains isolated from blood culture. We analyzed the antimicrobial resistance rate per dose with the Pearson correlation coefficient. A significant (positive?) correlation was detected between the cefepime dose and the resistance of E. coli (P<0.033; r=0.907), while a significant negative correlation was found between the tobramycin dose and the resistance of E.coli. (P<0.028; r=-0.917). The aminoglycoside resistance of A. baumannii showed a significant negative correlation (P<0.048; r=-0.881), and the aminoglycoside resistance of E. coli showed a significant negative correlation as well (P<0.001; r=-0.992). In conclusion, the amount of antimicrobial agent (Defined Daily Dose, DDD) (is partly related to) the bacterial strain and its antimicrobial resistance rate (%).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1015-1024
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• 2023

Antibiotics have greatly contributed to the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases in humans, animals, and fish. However, antibiotic misuse has led to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In addition to antibiotic discovery research, efforts are being made to combat such multidrug-resistant bacteria using antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, host immune enhancement, probiotics, and bacteriophages, as well as various symptomatic therapies. To discover novel bioactive compounds, it is crucial to adopt approaches that incorporate fresh ideas, new targets, innovative techniques, and untapped resources. Halophytes are plants that grow in high-salt soils and are known to adapt to salt-induced stress through unique metabolic processes that produce secondary metabolites. This study aimed to investigate the effects of extracts of halophytes native to Korea on oxidative stress and to determine whether they exert inhibitory activity against biofilms, which are major pathogenic factors of infectious bacteria. The Acinetobacter baumannii strain ATCC 17978, a representative drug-resistant bacterium, was used to measure anti-biofilm activity. The results showed that Aster spathulifolius, Carex kobomugi, Rosa rugosa, and Asparagus cochinchiensis exerted strong antioxidant and anti-biofilm effects without affecting bacterial growth itself. The halophytes used in this study are promising candidates for the development of pharmaceutical agents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.