• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.255-265
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• 2016

Objectives: Mobile phones have become one of the most essential accessories in daily life. However, they may act as reservoir of infectious pathogens if they are used without hygienic practices in their handling. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate food-borne pathogens from mobile phones and investigate the characteristics of toxin genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods: A total of 146 mobile phones were collected from 83 middle- and 63 high-school students in Busan. The surfaces of the mobile phones were aseptically swabbed. Results: Among the food-borne pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were detected in 26 (17.8%), 20 (13.7%) and four (2.7%) samples, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences according to school level, gender or phone type. None of four E. coli strains had pathogenic toxic genes. All of the B. cereus strains carried at least three different toxin genes among the nine enterotoxin and emetic toxin genes. Three out of 20 B. cereus strains (15%) possessed emetic toxin genes, which are rarely detected in food-poisoning cases in Korea. Among the 26 strains of S. aureus, the detection rate of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes, toxic shock syndrome toxin (tsst) and factors essential for methicillin resistance (femA) were 84.6%, 7.7% and 100%, respectively. In the antibiotic susceptibility test, there was no methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA). Conclusion: The results show that students' mobile phones in Busan were contaminated by food-borne pathogens which carried various toxic genes. Therefore, regular phone disinfection and hand hygiene is important in order to reduce cross-contamination.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2016

Recently, there has been a considerable increase in the prevalence of CTX-M type extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates worldwide, including Korea. To investigate the ESBL genes in the E. coli strains isolated from a university hospital in the Chungcheong area, a study was conducted using PCR amplification and nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified products to detect the plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in ESBL producing E. coli isolates. The number of CTX-M-14 producing isolates was 25 (16.0%) isolates, and of them, 9 (5.8%) isolates also produced CTX-M-15. All CTX-M type ESBL producing E. coli isolates showed resistance to cefotaxime. Twelve (48%) CTX-M type ESBL producing E. coli isolates contained the PMQR genes, 8 contained qnrS1, and 8 contained aac(6')-Ib-cr. Four isolates harbored both qnrS1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes. In our study, we confirmed that the plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistant determinants-the ESBL and PMQR genes-were distributed in the E. coli isolates. To prevent further spreading of the resistant genes among the E. coli isolates, consistent effort is required to investigate and monitor the resistant genes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of quinolone resistant E. coli from retail meat and to characterize the resistant determinants. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, the sequence analysis of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR), the presences of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and the expression of efflux pump genes were investigated. Of the total 277 retail meat samples, 67 coli form bacteria were isolated. 15 of 67 isolates showed nalidixic acid resistance and 7 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant isolates were also resistant to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin and levofloxacin. 11 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant strains were isolated from chicken, 2 of 15 were isolated from beef and 2 of 15 were isolated from pork samples. 11 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant strains have single mutation at codon 87 (D87N or D87G) in gyrA, 2 of 11 gyrA mutants have double mutations at codon 86 and 87 (L86A and L87I) in parC with mutations at codon 434+445+465 or 429 in gyrB. 2 of 15 resistant isolates harbored qnrS, a PMQR determinant. Over expression of the acrB gene, efflux pump gene (3.93~16.53 fold), was observed in 10 of 15 resistant isolates.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 2011

Seventy five methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and 24 methicillin- susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) were isolated from clinical specimens obtained from a hospital in Suncheon, Jeonnam province, Korea, from July to December, 2009. Antibiotic resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method. Genes encoding enterotoxin (SE), toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), exfoliative toxin (ET) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) were detected by multiplex PCR-mediated amplification using specific primers. Sixty (80%) MRSA isolates possessed either one or more toxin genes and the most common pattern that coexisted in MRSA was seb, sec, seg, sei and tst (22.7%) followed by coexistence of sec, seg, sei and tst genes (18.7%). Gene pvl encoding leukocidin was not found. Significant correlation between the production of sec, seg, sei and tst genes was found. MRSAs were resistant to erythromycin (89% of the isolates), gentamicin (70.7%), ciprofloxacin (69.3%), clindamycin (61.3%) and tetracycline (58.7%), while MSSAs were susceptible to the antibiotics with the exception of erythromycin. Toxin genes seb, sec and tst were related to the tetracycline resistance of MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.422-430
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• 2018

The inappropriate and widespread use of quinolones in humans and animals may cause accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant determinants. In this study, we investigated quinolone resistance mechanisms in a total of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli isolated from swine rectal swabs (N=40) and clinical specimens (N=25). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for investigations of genes and mutations associated with quinolone resistance. In our study, 62 of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli harbored mutations in gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes; of the 65 isolates, 62 (95.4%) had mutations in the gyrA gene, 35 (53.8%) had mutations in the parC gene, 7 (10.8%) had mutations in the parE gene. The 35 isolates harbored mutations in two genes, gyrA and parC. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants were investigated in the 65 isolates. Thirteen of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli contained the qnrS gene and 10 of those isolates had mutations in the gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes. We confirmed that an important mechanism of quinolone resistance in E. coli isolated from human and swine involves chromosomal mutations in the gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes with increasing use of quinolone for treatment or additives.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.301-308
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• 2019

The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical problem worldwide. The pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa is due partly to the production of several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors. This study examined the distribution of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) isolated from a tertiary hospital in Daejeon, Korea. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to determine for the presence of virulence genes. In addition, the sequence type (ST) of MDR P. aeruginosa was investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Among 32 CRPA isolates, 14 (43.8%) were MDR and the major ST was ST235 (10 isolates, 71.4%). All isolates were positive for the presence of virulence genes and the most prevalent virulence genes were toxA, plcN, and phzM (100%). All isolates carried at least eight or more different virulence genes and nine (28.1%) isolates had 15 virulence genes. The presence of the exoU gene was detected in 71.4% of the MDR P. aeruginosa isolates. These results indicate that the presence of the exoU gene can be a predictive marker for the persistence of MDR P. aeruginosa isolates.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2017

Enhanced disease susceptibility1 (EDS1) is a regulator of basal defense responses required for resistance mediated by TIR-NBS-LRR containing R proteins. We identified three transcripts of EDS1-like genes encompassing diverse/separate expression patterns, based on the transcriptome analysis by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of V. flexuosa inoculated with Elsinoe ampelina. These genes were designated VfEDL1 (Vitis flexuosa Enhanced Disease Susceptibility1-like1), VfEDL2 and VfEDL3, and contained 2464, 1719 and 1599 bp, with 1791, 1227 and 1599 bp open reading frames (ORFs), encoding proteins of 596, 408 and 532 amino acids, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequences of all three genes showed the L-family lipase-like domain (class 3 lipase domain), and exhibited a potential lipase catalytic triad, aspartic acid, histidine and serine in the conserved G-X-S-X-G. All three VfEDL genes were upregulated at 1 hpi against the bacterial and fungal pathogens Rizhobiumvitis and E. ampelina, respectively, except VfEDL1, which was downregulated against E. ampelina at all time points. Against E. ampelina, VfEDL2 and VfEDL3 showed downregulated expression at later time points. When evaluated against R. vitis, VfEDL1 showed downregulated expression at all time points after 1 hpi, while VfEDL3 showed upregulation up to 24 hpi. Based on the expression response, all three genes may be involved in plant resistant responses against R. vitis, and VfEDL2 and VfEDL3 show additional resistant responses against E. ampelina infection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2017

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most serious diseases that affect the quantity and quality of rice production. The use of resistant rice varieties would be the most effective way to control the rice blast. However R gene incorporation into the rice variety takes time and pathogen could overcome the R gene effects after for a while. For monitoring the rice blast resistance gene distribution in Korean varieties, the four major blast resistance genes against M. oryzae were screened in a number of Korean rice varieties using molecular markers. Of the 120 rice varieties tested, 40 were found to contain the Pi-5 gene, 25 for the Pi-9 gene, 79 for Pi-b and 40 for the Pi-ta gene. None of these rice varieties includes tested 4 R genes. 3 R genes combination, Pi-5/Pi-9/Pi-b, Pi-5, Pi-9.Pi-ta, or Pi-9/Pi-b/Pi-ta were found in 12 varieties, the rice blast disease severity were showed as resistant in the rice verities containing Pi-9/Pi-b/Pi-ta R genes combination, respectively. Also pathogenic diversity of M. oryzae isolates collected in the rice field from 2004 to 2015 in rice field in Korea were analyzed using rice blast monogenic lines, each harboring a single blast resistance gene. Compatibility of blast isolates against rice blast monogenic lines carrying the resistance genes Pi5, Pi9, Pib, and Piz showed dynamic changes by year. It indicates that pathogen has high evolutionary potential adapted host resistances to increase fitness and would lead to rice blast resistance bred into the cultivar becoming ineffective eventually.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2016

Development of disease resistant plant is one of the important objectives in rice breeding programs because biotic stresses can adversely affect rice growth and yield losses. This study was conducted to identify lines with multiple-resistance genes to biotic stress among 173 hybrid rice breeding lines and germplasms using DNA-based markers. Our results showed that one hybrid rice line [IR98161-2-1-1-k1-3 (IR86409-3-1-1-1-1-1/IRBB66)] possessed 5 bacterial blight resistance genes (Xa4, xa5, Xa7, Xa13 and Xa21) while two hybrid rice lines [IR98161-2-1-1-k1-2 (IR86409-3-1-1-1-1-1/IRBB66) and 7292s (IR75589-31-27-8-33S(S1)/IR102758B)] possessed 3 bacterial blight resistance genes (Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21, and Xa3, Xa4 and xa5). Molecular survey on rice blast disease revealed that most of these lines had two different resistant genes. Only 11 lines possessed Pib, Pi-5, and Pi-ta. In addition, we further surveyed the distribution of insect resistant genes, such as Bph1, Bph18(t), and Wbph. Three hybrid breeding lines [IR98161-2-1-1-k1-3 (IR86409-3-1-1-1-1-1/IRBB66), IR98161-2-1-1-k1-2 (IR86409-3-1-1-1-1-1/IRBB66), and 7292s (IR75589-31-27-8-33S(S1) /IR102758B)] contained all three resistance genes. Finally, we obtained four hybrid rice breeding lines and germplasms [IR98161-2-1-1-k1-2 (IR86409-3-1-1-1-1-1/IRBB66), Damm-Noeub Khmau, 7290s, and 7292s (IR75589-31-27-8-33S(S1)/IR102758B)] possessing six-gene combination. They are expected to provide higher level of multiple resistance to biotic stress. This study is important for genotyping hybrid rice with resistance to diverse diseases and pests. Results obtained in this study suggest that identification of pyramided resistance genes is very important for screening hybrid rice breeding lines and germplasms accurately for disease and pest resistance. We will expand their cultivation safely through bioassays against diseases, pests, and disaster in its main export countries.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.3315-3322
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• 2015

Staphylococcus aureus is the major causative organism of nasocomial infection being the important pathogen in the clinic. Appearance of staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin (MRSA) is becoming a big problem in clinics and dynamics all over the world acquiring antibiotic resistance with virulence factors as its feature differentiated from other pathogenic bacteria fast. This research intended to compare and analyze the correlation of antibiotics resistance between strains with toxin genes and distribution of toxin genes of MRSA 101 strains acquired from clinical specimen in one general hospital (enterotoxin(se), toxic shock syndrome toxin-1(tst), exfoliative toxin(et), Panton Valentine leukocidin(pvl)). seg gene, isolated the most among toxin genes, was detected in 59 strains (58.4%) and more than two toxin genes were detected in 70 strains (69.3%). As a combination possessing toxin genes, it was detected in 19 strains (18.8%) as seb, sec, seg, sei, tst and the second frequent combination was sec, seg, sei shown in 11 strains (10.9%). 19 strains (18.8%) with combinations of toxin genes same with seb, sec, seg, sei, tst had 100% resistance Ampicillin, Benzylpenicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin, Gentamicin, Erythromycin, Telithromycin, Tetracycline antibiotics. Strains with many toxin genes showed high correlation of antibiotic resistance. Afterwards, effective therapy and thorough infection management should be preceded not to spread the resistance of MRSA strain.