• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.564-572
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• 2016

In this study, we isolated and characterized Escherichia coli from mussels and inland pollution sources in or in proximity to the Changseon area on the southern coast of Korea in 2014. A total of 147 strains of E. coli were isolated from 54 mussels and 32 pollution-source samples. The susceptibility of the isolates to 24 antimicrobial agents was analyzed. The resistance of E. coli isolates to rifampin was highest at 100%, followed by cephalothin (98.6%), tetracycline (91.8%), amikacin (81.0%), ampicillin (79.6%), cefazolin (79.6%), streptomycin (73.5%), piperacillin (70.7%), gentamicin (37.4%), cefoxitin (35.4%), cefamandole (34.7%), tobramycin (29.9%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (24.5%), nalidixic acid (21.8%), trimethoprim (19.0%), chloramphenicol (17.7%), cefotaxime (12.9%), trimethoprim (10.9%), ceftazidime (10.2%), aztreonam (7.5%), imipenem (2.7%), cefepime (2.0%), and cefotetan (0.0%). In addition, the antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from inland pollution sources was slightly greater than or similar to that of isolates from mussels.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.567-570
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• 2012

In vitro activities of 13 antibiotics were assessed against 85 Brucella abortus isolates from naturally infected cattle in the Republic of Korea during 1998-2006, using broth microdilution test. Tetracyclines showed the most excellent activity against B. abortus, displaying MIC values of 0.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ or below. In particular, minocycline showed the lowest $MIC_{50/90}$ values (0.125/0.125 ${\mu}g/ml$) in this study. Among four fluoroquinolones tested, ciprofloxacin ($MIC_{50/90}$, 0.5/1 ${\mu}g/ml$) and norfloxacin ($MIC_{50/90}$, 8/8 ${\mu}g/ml$) had the most and the least activities, respectively. Gentamicin ($MIC_{50/90}$, 1/1 ${\mu}g/ml$) was more effective than streptomycin, erythromycin, rifampin, and chloramphenicol ($MIC_{50/90}$, 2/2 ${\mu}g/ml$).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.605-616
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• 2019

This study evaluated the abundance and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in oysters Crassostrea gigas and major inland pollution sources sampled in 2014-2015 from Jaranman-Saryangdo on the southern coast of Korea. The ranges of the geometric mean of E. coli concentrations in oysters and major inland pollution sources were <20-29.8 MPN/100 g and 7.5-137.2 MPN/100 g, respectively. We isolated 247 strains of E. coli (28 from oysters and 247 from major inland pollution sources) and examined the antimicrobial resistance patterns of all isolates. Isolates from both sources were highly resistant to rifampin (99.5-100%) and cephalothin (70.8-78.6%). The resistance rate was higher in E. coli isolated from oysters those from inland pollution sources. Multiple resistance against at least four antimicrobials was observed in 85.7% and 21.0% of the oyster and major inland pollution sources isolates, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

We investigated patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from the water discharged from inland pollution sources in the Hansan-Geojeman and Jaranman-Saryangdo areas of Korea. A total of 217 strains of E. coli were isolated from 23 point-sources. These strains were tested for their susceptibility to 16 antimicrobial agents used in Korea for medical or veterinary therapy. The highest level of antibiotic resistance among the isolated strains was to tetracycline 10.6%, followed by ampicillin (3.2%), nalidixic acid (2.8%), rifampin (1.8%), trimethoprim (1.8%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (1.8%), chloramphenicol (1.4%), streptomycin (1.4%), cephalothin (0.5%) and gentamicin (0.5%). Resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent was present in 17.1% of the E. coli isolates. Only four of the isolated strains of E. coli showed multiple antibiotic resistance, which is defined as resistance to more than four antibiotics.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2018

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can affect many organs of the body but usually affects the lungs. The prevalence of TB in Korea is considerably higher than that in other countries with similar economic levels, and is much higher in elderly people. Pharmacotherapy is important in the treatment of TB and requires relatively high compliance for a prolonged duration. Methods: We analyzed sample data of elderly patients obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We used logistic regression analysis and frequency analysis to identify factors that could affect prevalence of TB in elderly patients, compliance with prescribed medication regimes in these patients, and use of medical institutions. Korean Standard Classification of Diseases, version 7 (KCD-7) was used to diagnose pulmonary TB, and medications were analyzed using Korean standardized drug classification codes. Results: 1,276,331 patients were analyzed in the sample of the elderly population, and 16,658 TB patients were included in the study. The mean age of the TB patients was 76.19 years (SD 6.899). A total of 699 patients were prescribed isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, or pyrazinamide at least once. Of these, 352 (50.4%) were prescribed all four medications and 101 (14.4%) were prescribed only isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. The mean duration of prescription was 28.75 days (SD 36.13). Conclusion: In the elderly population, old age and poor socioeconomic conditions correlated with TB prevalence. Most patients did not meet the criteria for effective pharmacotherapy of TB.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

Thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP) is a small cationic peptide that exerts potent in vitro microbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of human pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus rattus BHT. Earlier evidence has suggested that tPMP targets and disrupts the bacterial membrane. However, it is not yet clear whether membrane disruption itself is sufficient to kill the bacteria or whether subsequent, presumably intracellular, events are also involved in this process. In this study, we investigated the microbicidal activity of rabbit tPMP toward S. rattus BHT cells in the presence or absence of a pretreatment with antibiotics that differ in their mechanisms of action. The streptocidal effects of tPMP on control cells (no antibiotic pretreatment) were rapid and concentration-dependent. Pretreatment of S. rattus BHT cells with either penicillin or amoxicillin (inhibitors of bacterial cell wall synthesis) significantly enhanced the anti-S. rattus BHT effects of tPMP compared with the effects against the respective control cells over most tPMP concentration ranges tested. On the other hand, pretreatment of S. rattus BHT cells with tetracycline or doxycycline (30S ribosomal subunit inhibitors) significantly decreased the streptocidal effects of tPMP over a wide peptide concentration range. Furthermore, pretreatment with rifampin (an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase) essentially blocked the killing of S. rattus BHT by tPMP at most concentrations compared with the respective control cells. These results suggest that tPMP exerts anti-S. rattus BHT activity through mechanisms involving both the cell membrane and intracellular targets.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.432-435
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• 2015

This is a report of the first South Korean case of a lung disease caused by Mycobacterium simiae. The patient was a previously healthy 52-year-old female. All serial isolates were identified as M. simiae by multi-locus sequencing analysis, based on hsp65, rpoB, 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer, and 16S rRNA fragments. A chest radiography revealed deterioration, and the follow-up sputum cultures were persistently positive, despite combination antibiotic treatment, including azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of a lung disease caused by M. simiae in South Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.435-439
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• 2007

Standard antituberculous therapy, including isoniazid (INH), rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide (PZA), is widely used to treat active tuberculosis. The most important side effect is hepatotoxicity. In a standard four-drug regimen, PZA was the most common cause of drug-induced hepatitis and was dose-related. The incidence of drug-induced hepatitis is high at doses of 40~70 mg/kg per day but has fallen significantly since the recommended dose was reduced. Liver toxicity induced by PZA is rare at doses of 25 mg/kg per day or less. PZA-induced fulminant hepatic failure is also rare but fatal. We report a case of fulminant hepatic failure caused by a re-challenge of PZA.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.352-360
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• 2011

Standard combination chemotherapy including isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol is very effective against tuberculosis. But, these medicines can cause hepatotoxicity which is the main reason for treatment interruption or change in drug regimen. In order to identify risk factors associated with hepatotoxcity in Koreans and assess elevated baseline LFTs' contributions to hepatotoxicity, a retrospective case control study was performed. The medical records of 277 patients who diagnosed with tuberculosis at a community hospital from January 1st, 2007 to June 30th, 2010 were reviewed. Patients were categorized into 3 groups (non toxic group, patients without increase in LFT levels; mild to moderate hepatotoxic group and severe hepatotoxic group). And the correlation between risk factors and hepatotoxicity was analyzed by using SPSS program. The overall incidence of hepatotoxicity was 18% and 8.7% of patients developed severe toxicity. Patients in the severe toxic group had the longest treatment period among the three groups. In 75% of severe toxic group, hepatotoxicity occurred within 18.3 days after starting medication. Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <3 g/dl) was a significant risk factor for development of severe toxicity. Elevated baseline transaminase (except ALT), total bilirubin, and preexisting hepatitis were also risk factors which were more than twice as likely to increase risk of severe hepatotoxicity (p>0.05). In conclusion, hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level <3 g/dl) was a significant risk factor for anti-tuberculosis druginduced severe toxicity. Therefore, before starting antituberculosis chemotherapy, serum albumin level should be assessed at baseline. In high-risk patients (hypoalbuminemia, elevated LFTs) for hepatotoxicty, liver function should be closely monitored up to at least 21 days after taking medication.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the carrier rate of S. aureus in the community, antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the organism, detection of MRSA and mecA gene in MRSA. Identification and antibiotic resistance patterns of S. aureus and MRSA were done by MicroScan Panels. MRSA strain was confirmed by disk diffusion method using oxacillin disk. The mecA gene in MRSA was detected by PCR. Eighty-four strains (27.4%) of S. aureus were isolated from the nasal specimens of 307 university students in Busan in 2004. Sixty-eight strains (81.9%) of 83 S. aureus were resistant to penicllin, 16 strains(19.3%) to erythromycin, 15 strains (18.1%) to gentamicin, 12 strains (14.5%) to tetracycline, 6 strains (7.2%) to chloramphenicol, 3 strains (3.6%) to ofloxacin, 2 strains (2.4%) to cefepime, clindamycin, imipenem, meropenem, norfloxacin, respectively. One strain (1.2%) was resistant to ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, and oxacillin. And all the strains (100%) of 84 S. aureus were susceptible to amoxicilin/K clavulanate, ticarcillin/K clavulanate, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, syncroid, teicoplanin, and vancomycin. One strain of 84 S. aureus isolates was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mecA gene was detected from the MRSA strain.