• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.194-210
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• 2022

Human milk contains a number of nutritional and bioactive molecules including microorganisms that constitute the so-called "Human Milk Microbiota (HMM)". Recent studies have shown that not only bacterial but also viral, fungal, and archaeal components are present in the HMM. Previous research has established, a "core" microbiome, consisting of Firmicutes (i.e., Streptococcus, Staphylococcus), Proteobacteria (i.e., Serratia, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Sphingomonas, Bradyrhizobium), and Actinobacteria (i.e., Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium). This review aims to summarize the main characteristics of HMM and the role it plays in shaping a child's health. We reviewed the most recent literature on the topic (2019-2021), using the PubMed database. The main sources of HMM origin were identified as the retrograde flow and the entero-mammary pathway. Several factors can influence its composition, such as maternal body mass index and diet, use of antibiotics, time and type of delivery, and mode of breastfeeding. The COVID-19 pandemic, by altering the mother-infant dyad and modifying many of our previous habits, has emerged as a new risk factor for the modification of HMM. HMM is an important contributor to gastrointestinal colonization in children and therefore, it is fundamental to avoid any form of perturbation in the HMM that can alter the microbial equilibrium, especially in the first 100 days of life. Microbial dysbiosis can be a trigger point for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis, especially in preterm infants, and for onset of chronic diseases, such as asthma and obesity, later in life.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.619-623
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• 2005

Purpose : Bacteremia in immunocompromised pediatric cancer patients can lead to high morbidity and mortality, if not treated early and properly. The incidence and antibiotic sensitivities to common pathogens of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients are liable to change, according to region and time. We investigated the causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivities of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients to assess the adequacy of empiric antimicrobial therapy. Methods : From September 1995 to August 2003, we retrospectively evaluated 58 episodes in 39 pediatric cancer patients with bacteremia treated at the Pediatric Department of Yeungnam University Hospital. We investigated and analyzed the causative organisms and the antibiotic sensitivity test results by reviewing the records of the microbiologically proven positive blood culture results. Results : The incidence of bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients in this study was 5.7 percent (58 episodes out of 1,022 occasions of blood cultures). Gram-positive organisms were isolated more often than gram-negative organisms (63.8 percent vs 36.2 percent) in the following order : Staphylococcus epidermidis (37.9 percent), Staphylococcus aureus (17.3 percent), Escherichia coli (12 percent), Streptococcus (8.6 percent), Enterobacter (6.9 percent), Klesiella (6.9 percent), Serratia (3.5 percent), Acinetobacter (3.5 percent), Proteus (1.7 percent) and Morganella morganii (1.7 percent). In antibiotic sensitivity tests, only six of 37 isolates (16 percent) of gram positive bacteria were sensitive to penicillin and 15 of 37 isolates (40 percent) were sensitive to oxacillin. All except one Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to vancomycin and all except one Staphylococcus epidermidis were sensitive to teicoplanin among 37 isolates of gram positive bacteria. In the case of gram negative bacteria, two of 21 isolates (10 percent) and four of 21 isolates (19 percent) were sensitive to cefotaxime and ceftazidime, respectively. Only six of 21 isolates (29 percent) were sensitive to aminoglycoside, but all 21 isolates (100 percent) were sensitive to imipenem. All seven isolates tested after the year 2000 were sensitive to meropenem. Conclusion : In conclusion, we should choose the proper antimicrobials in treating pediatric cancer patients with suspected bacteremia, reflecting the increasing episodes of gram positive bacteremia and polymicrobial resistance of gram positive and negative organisms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.495-502
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• 2010

Purpose : Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, particularly in preterm. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence rate, causative pathogens and clinical features of neonatal sepsis in one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 6 years. Methods : This study was retrospectively performed to review the clinical and laboratory characteristics including sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, length of hospitalization, length of total parenteral nutrition, presence of central venous catheter, underlying diseases, laboratory findings, microorganisms isolated from blood culture, complications and mortality in 175 patients between January 2003 and December 2008. Results : 1) Sepsis was present in 175 of 3,747 infants for 6 years. There were more gram-positive organisms. 2) The gram-negatives were more prevalent in preterm. There were no significant differences of other clinical features between two groups. 3) Underlying diseases were found in 73.7%, and the most common disease was cardiovascular disease. The most common organisms of gram-positives and gram-negatives were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Serratia marcescens. 4) There was statistically significant difference on platelet counts between two groups (P<0.05). 5) Complications were found in 18.3% and septic shock was the most common. MRSA was the most common pathogen in sepsis with complication. 6) The mortality rate was 7.4%. 7) There were differences in monthly blood stream infection/1,000 patient-days. Conclusion : The studies about the factors that can influence neonatal sepsis will contribute to decrease the infection rates in NICUs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.144-153
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• 2011

In this study, samples were collected from the Sumummulbangdui wetland at the Halla Mountain in Jeju Island in order to isolate novel bacterial strain. Bacterial strains belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria were isolated after spreading samples onto solid agar media. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains assigned to the two classes were compared to those of type strains of the species. The strains that showed less than 98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the validly published species were considered to be novel species candidates. A total of 19 strains were regarded as novel strains which can be regarded as novel species candidates. In the Alphaproteobacteria, 6 novel strains were affiliated with the genera Novosphingobium, and Rhizobium. A total of 13 novel strains belong to Gammaproteobacteria that assigned to the family Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae were identified. Cultural, physiological, chemotaxonomic characteristics and fatty acids compositions have been determined for the novel species candidates, and the characteristics are described in this study.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.283-289
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the annual population variation and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the lower artificial Lake Geumgang from January to December, 2002. Samples were taken from the surface waters at 3 stations near the estuarine barrage. The results were as follows; the population densities of heterotrophic bacteria varied from 4.1±1.0×10² to 6.7±1.1×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ during the investigation periods. The population densities of antibiotic-resistant bacteria ranged from 1.5±0.7×10 to 4.3±0.3×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for ampicillin; from 0 to 6.4±0.4× 10² cfu ml/sup -1/ for chloramphenicol; from 0 to 2.8±0.3×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for gentamicin; from 0 to 4.5±1.0×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for kanamycin; and from 1.0±0.4 × 10 to 2.3±0.5×10³ cfu ml/sup -1/ for streptomycin, respectively. Of the sixty isolates, 90% were Gram negative. Dominant genera by 16S rDNA analysis were identified Aeromonas spp. (14 strains), Bacillus spp. (6 strains), Enterobacter spp. (4 strains), and Stenotrophomonas spp. (6 strains). These strains were clustered into 12 groups based on relatedness by average linkage method. Of the 60 isolates, 85% had the resistance to ampicilin and 32% were shown resistance to more than 2 kinds of antibiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.436-446
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify the bacteria in chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS) lesions from 3 patients and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of them against 10 antibiotics. One of them was odontogenic origin and the others were non-odontogenic origin. Pus samples were collected by needle aspiration from the lesions and examined by culture method. Bacterial culture was performed in three culture systems (anaerobic, CO2, and aerobic incubator). Identification of the bacteria was performed by 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) nucleotide sequencing method. To test the sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from the maxillary sinusitis lesions against seven antibiotics, penicillin G, amoxicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, erythromycin, clindamycin, and vancomycin, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed using broth dilution assay. Our data showed that enterobacteria such as Enterobacter aerogenes (30%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (25%), and Serratia marcescens (15%) were predominately isolated from the lesion of non-odontogenic CMS of senile patient (70 year old). Streptococcus spp. (40.3%), Actinomyces spp. (27.4%), P. nigrescens, M. micros, and P. anaerobius strains were isolated in the lesion of odontogenic CMS. In the lesion of non-odontogenic CMS, Streptococcus spp. (68.4%), Rothia spp. (13.2%), and Actinomyces sp. (10.5%) were isolated. The susceptibility pattern of 10 antibiotics was determined according to the host of the bacteria strains ratter than the kinds of bacterial species. Even though the number of CMS was limited as three, these results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility test must be accompanied with treatment of CMS. The combined treatment of two or more antibiotics is better than single antibiotic treatment in the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the CMS lesions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1213-1222
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• 2009

The search for diverse plant growth-promoting (PGP) diazotrophic bacteria is gaining momentum as efforts are made to exploit them as biofertilizers for various economically important crops. In the present study, 17 diazotrophic strains belonging to eight different genera isolated from rice paddy fields were screened for multiple PGP traits and evaluated for their inoculation effects on canola and rice plants. All of the strains tested positive for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity and production of indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) and ammonia ($NH_3$). Additionally, four of the strains were able to solubilize phosphorus (P), five tested positive for zinc (Zn) solubilization and sulfur (S) oxidation, and eight strains produced siderophores. Based on the presence of multiple PGP traits, 10 strains were selected for inoculation studies. Treatment with Herbaspirillum sp. RFNB26 resulted in maximum root length (54.3%), seedling vigor, and dry biomass in canola, whereas Paenibacillus sp. RFNB4 exhibited the lowest activity under gnotobiotic conditions. However, under pot culture conditions, Paenibacillus sp. RFNB4 significantly increased plant height and dry biomass production by 42.3% and 29.5%, respectively. Canola plants and rhizosphere soils inoculated with Bacillus sp. RFNB6 exhibited significantly higher nitrogenase activity. In greenhouse experiments, Serratia sp. RFNB18 increased rice plant height by 35.1%, Xanthomonas sp. RFNB24 enhanced biomass production by 84.6%, and rice rhizosphere soils inoculated with Herbaspirillum sp. RFNB26 exhibited the highest nitrogenase activity. Our findings indicate that most of the selected strains possess multiple PGP properties that significantly improve the growth parameters of the two plants when tested under controlled conditions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.92-100
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• 2017

Acetoin (AC) is a volatile platform compound with various potential industrial applications. AC contains two stereoisomeric forms: (3S)-AC and (3R)-AC. Optically pure AC is an important potential intermediate and widely used as a precursor to synthesize novel optically active materials. In this study, chiral (3R)-AC production from meso-2,3-butanediol (meso-2,3-BD) was obtained using recombinant Escherichia coli cells co-expressing meso-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (meso-2,3-BDH), NADH oxidase (NOX), and hemoglobin protein (VHB) from Serratia sp. T241, Lactobacillus brevis, and Vitreoscilla, respectively. The new biocatalyst of E. coli/pET-mbdh-nox-vgb was developed and the bioconversion conditions were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, 86.74 g/l of (3R)-AC with the productivity of 3.61 g/l/h and the stereoisomeric purity of 97.89% was achieved from 93.73 g/l meso-2,3-BD using the whole-cell biocatalyst. The yield and productivity were new records for (3R)-AC production. The results exhibit the industrial potential for (3R)-AC production via whole-cell biocatalysis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.248-255
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• 1992

Eight bacterial strains were examined whether they have phoP/phoQ genes which were known to be involved in the intracellular survival of Salmonella typhimurium. The phoP/phoQ operon were known to sense the stimuli of the genes involved in the adaptation of the environment. Using 514-basepairs EcoRV DNA fragment of phoP region of Salmonella typhimurium as a probe, dot blot hybridization were performed. Chromosomal DNAs of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marscescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, and Listeria monocytogenes were examined by DNA hybridization assay. Against our expectation, intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes, did not have similar DNA sequences to phoP/phoQ of S. typhimurium, while E. coli, S. dysenteriae, and E. cloacae showed the positive signal even though they were not intracellular pathogens. This result suggested that the phoP/PhoQ operon was absent in intracellular pathogenic bacterias other than S. typhimurium. Rather it was found in phylogenetically closer bacterias to S. typhimurium, which were not able to survive in intracellular environment. Some different mechanism, which is not dependent on phoP/PhoQ operon, could be involved in the intracelluar survival of L. monocytogenes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.551-560
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• 2018

Bellflower root (Platycodon grandiflorum), which belongs to the Campanulaceae family, is a perennial grass that grows naturally in Korea, northeastern China, and Japan. Bellflower is widely consumed as both food and medicine owing to its high nutritional value and potential therapeutic effects. Since foodborne disease outbreaks often come from vegetables, understanding the public health risk of microorganisms on fresh vegetables is pivotal to predict and prevent foodborne disease outbreaks. We investigated the microbial communities on the bellflower root (n = 10). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing targeting the V6-V9 regions of 16S rRNA genes was conducted via the 454-Titanium platform. The sequence quality was checked and phylogenetic assessments were performed using the RDP classifier implemented in QIIME with a bootstrap cutoff of 80%. Principal coordinate analysis was performed using the weighted Fast UniFrac distance. The average number of sequence reads generated per sample was 67,192 sequences. At the phylum level, bacterial communities from the bellflower root were composed primarily of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria in March and September samples. Genera Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Pantoea comprised more than 54% of the total bellflower root bacteria. Principal coordinate analysis plots demonstrated that the microbial community of bellflower root in March samples was different from those in September samples. Potential pathogenic genera, such as Pantoea, were detected in bellflower root samples. Even though further studies will be required to determine if these species are associated with foodborne illness, our results indicate that the 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing approach can be used to detect pathogenic bacteria on fresh vegetables.