• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-85
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• 2012

Vancomycin-resistant (VR)-E. faecium and VR-E. faecalis were isolated simultaneously from a rectal swab of a patient diagnosed with pneumonia in an intensive care unit (ICU). The patient was treated with various antibiotics including vancomycin. Only VR-E. faecium was continually isolated from the rectal swab at one and two weeks of the treatment. Identical vanA, IS1216V, and IS1542 genes were detected in both VR-E. faecium and VR-E. faecalis isolates which showed equal resistance against vancomycin and teicoplanin, but IS1251 was not detected. VR-E. faecium showed stronger multi-drug resistance than VE-E. faecalis. This result supports the reason why VR-E. faecium is one of the major pathogens in nosocomial infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.179-181
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• 2000

Stool and cellotape anal swab examinations were carried out in August 1997 on handicapped people at an institution located in Chorwon-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea. A total of 112 stool samples (78 males and 34 females) revealed three cases of Trichuris trichiura infection and one case of Enterobius vermicularis infection. Other helminth eggs were not detected. The overall prevalence rate was 35.7% (38.5% for males and 29.4% for females). More than two different kinds of parasites were found in 42.0% of the positive stool samples (17 cases). The infection rates for protozoan cysts are as follow : Entamoeba coli (25.0%), E. histoIUtica (1.8%), Endolinax nana (21.4%), Iodoamoeba butschlii (1.8%) and Giardia lamblia (0.9%). In cellotape anal swab examinations (165 samples), the prevalence rate of E. vemicularis was 20.6% (25.7% of males and 9.6% of females). In conclusion, the handicapped people in the institution showed higher infection rates of protozoan parasites and E. vemicularis, possibly due to more accessibility to the infection.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2008

To select agronomically useful transgenic plants, a large number of transgenic events are initially produced, gene transfer confirmed, and advanced to obtain homozygous lines for testing in field trials. Direct in planta assays for identifying the transgene carriers in the segregating progeny are based on the activity of selectable marker gene and are easy, simple and inexpensive. For this purpose, expression of bar gene as measured by tolerance to damage by glufosinate ammonium, the active ingredient in the herbicide BASTA, was investigated. Dose damage curves were generated by leaf paint tests with BASTA on four genotypes of sorghum. Transgenic plants were characterized in terms of sensitivity to the concentration of glufosinate ammonium. In transgenics, symptoms of BASTA swab tests at different growth stages and PCR analysis for cry1B were carried out and correlated. Germination tests could not be employed for large scale evaluation of transgenic progeny because of mortality of tolerant seedlings after transplantation to soil. Based on the above findings, a simple, inexpensive, time-saving, two-step scheme for effective evaluation of transgenics and their progeny containing bar gene as selection marker using BASTA swab tests is described.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

This study was performed to evaluate the microbial and temperature changes of boxed beef during transport and distribution under vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and to compare between excision and swab sampling for 15 days. The top round and striploin (quality grade 1) from Hanwoo steers at 2 days post-slaughter were obtained from a local meat processing plants and chilled at $4{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ in a cold room. The boxes were transported under refrigeration ($4{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) to the laboratory within half an hour. Vacuum and MAP packs were subsequently taken out from cool boxes, and microbiological examinations were carried out at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h of storage time. MAP was more effective than vacuum packaging for the inhibition of total aerobic, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonas (p < 0.05). Microbial loads of swab methods were slightly lower than those of excision ones (p < 0.05). The results of this study could be utilized by meat consumers in future studies as well as by manufacturers to determine the ideal storage conditions for cool boxed meat, thus ensuring reduced economic losses due to spoilage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.123-126
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• 2023

The prevalence of candidiasis, a contagious disease with high morbidity and mortality, has sharply increased globally over the last two decades. Candida albicans can cause serious infections in patients with weak immunity and in recipients of prolonged antibiotic treatment. Consequently, rapid and accurate identification of species can play an important role in the treatment of candidiasis. Here, we investigated the positive rate and infection trend of C. albicans according to age, specimen type, and sex using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based testing of samples collected for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases in Korea between 2018 and 2020. When the type of specimen collected was a swab, the positive rate of C. albicans was higher among younger women, and tended to decrease with age. Analysis of swab samples revealed higher positive rates than urinalysis. The reduction trend in positive rates by age was comparable between the overall samples and urine specimens. Among male patients, the positive rate did not differ substantially across the various types of specimens collected. Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of non-albicans Candida species than C. albicans in clinical specimens, and exclusion of the former from our analysis may be a limitation of this study. However, our findings contribute significantly to the literature because globally, there is a paucity of epidemiological studies using molecular techniques to detect C. albicans in sexually transmitted disease test samples.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.351-360
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• 2002

The Korean fresh pork loins in vacuum packaged were obtained from three different Korean export companies and investigated for microbiological and sensory properties. The fresh pork loins were stored at 2$^{\circ}C$ for 50 days and analyzed with an interval of 5$\sim$10 days. The results were as follows: The overall numbers of total plate counts and coliform bacteria were higher in swab method than in meat sampling method. The total plate counts in the loins from the company I were maintained low levels ($\prec$10$^5$ cfu/$cm^2$ or $\prec$10$^5$ cfu/g) for entire storage periods(50 days at 2$^{\circ}C$), whereas the loins from the company III had high levels when they were compared to the domestic standard for the allowance limit. The samples from the company III showed that total plate counts were over 106 after about 30 days when determined by meat sampling method and total plate counts were over 106 after 15 days when determined by swab method. The overall numbers of coliform bacteria were also significantly lowest in the samples from the company I, whereas they were highest in the company III. Therefore, all meat companies will have to make an effort to prevent bacterial contamination in each stage such as slaughtering, marketing and consumer in order to ensure the production of safe meat and the extension of shelf-life. For fresh products, scores of intramuscular fat were higher in samples form the companies II and III than those from the company I when visibly evaluated with the standard. There were no significant differences in scores of meat color, drip and fresh meat flavor. However, the samples from the company I had the lowest score of off-flavor and highest score of overall acceptability. For cooked products, there were no significant differences in meat flavor, off-flavor, juiciness and overall acceptability.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

The most important progress in diagnostic sciences is the increased sensitivity and specificity in diagnostic procedures due to the development of micromethodologies and increasing availability of immunological and molecular biological reagents. The technological advances led to consider the diagnostic use of saliva for an array of analytes and DNA source. The purpose of the present study was to compare DNA from saliva with those from blood and buccal swab, to evaluate diagnostic and forensic application of saliva, to investigate the changes of genomic DNA in saliva according to the storage temperature and period of saliva samples, and to evaluate the integrity of the DNA from saliva stored under various storage conditions by PCR analysis. Peripheral venous blood, unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated whole saliva, and buccal swab were obtained from healthy 10 subjects (mean age: $29.9{\pm}9.8$ years) and genomic DNA was extracted using commercial kit. For the study of effects of various storage conditions on genomic DNA from saliva, stimulated whole saliva were obtained from healthy 20 subjects (mean age: $32.3{\pm}6.6$ years). After making aliquots from fresh saliva, they were stored at room temperature, $4^{\circ}C$, $-20^{\circ}C$, and $-70^{\circ}C$. Saliva samples after lyophilization and dry-out procedure were stored at room temperature. After 1, 3, and 5 months, the same experiment was performed to investigate the changes in genomic DNA in saliva samples. In case of saliva aliquots stored at room temperature and dry-out samples, the results in 2 weeks were also included. Integrity of DNA from saliva stored under various storage conditions was also evaluated by PCR amplification analysis of $\beta$-globin gene fragments (989-bp). The results were as follows: 1. Concentration of genomic DNA extracted from saliva was lower than that from blood (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences among various types of saliva samples. Purities of genomic DNA extracted from stimulated whole saliva and lyophilized one were significantly higher than that from blood (p<0.05). Purity of genomic DNA extracted from buccal swab was lower than those from various types of saliva samples (p<0.05). 2. Concentration of genomic DNA from saliva stored at room temperature showed gradual reduction after 1 month, and decreased significantly in 3 and 5 months (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Purities of DNA from saliva stored for 3 and 5 months showed significant differences with those of fresh saliva and stored saliva for 1 month (p<0.05). 3. In the case of saliva stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$, there were no significant changes of concentration of genomic DNA in 3 months. Concentration of DNA decreased significantly in 5 months (p<0.05). 4. There were no significant differences of concentration of genomic DNA from saliva stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ and from lyophilized one according to storage period. Concentration of DNA showed decreasing tendency in 5 months. 5. Concentration of genomic DNA immediately extracted from saliva dried on Petri dish were 60% compared with that of fresh saliva. Concentration of DNA from saliva stored at room temperature after dry-out showed rapid reduction within 2 weeks (p<0.05). 6. Amplification of $\beta$-globin gene using PCR was successful in all lyophilized saliva stored for 5 months. At the time of 1 month, $\beta$-globin gene was successfully amplified in all saliva samples stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-70^{\circ}C$, and in some saliva samples stored at $4^{\circ}C$. $\beta$-globin gene was failed to amplify in saliva stored at room temperature and dry-out saliva.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.655-663
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• 2013

In this study, a rapid and sensitive detection tool for screening Salmonella spp. by using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the genomic sequence of the invA gene was developed. The inclusivity and exclusivity were both at 100% in the analysis, and the limit of detection (LOD) in a pure S. Enteritidis culture suspended in saline was $3.2{\times}10^3$ CFU/mL at 18.17 min ($R^2$ = 0.9446). The LODs of the LAMP assay in buffered peptone water with Salmonella (BPW) and duck carcass swab sample enriched in BPW with Salmonella (BPWS) after 0 and 12 h incubation were $3.2{\times}10^3$ CFU/mL and $3.2{\times}10^0$ CFU/mL, respectively. Comparing the LODs in BPW with those in BPWS, the LAMP assay was less influenced by compounds of duck carcass swab sample than the PCR assay. Sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay in 50 duck carcass swab samples enriched in BPW for 6 h were 96% and 84%, respectively, indicating that the LAMP assay is a rapid, simple and sensitive assay, which can be utilized as a potential screening tool of Salmonella spp. in duck carcass sample.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1611-1618
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• 2005

The microbiological examinations were conducted for the hygienic evaluation on three Korean restaurants during summer season in Busan, Korea. Total one hundred and sixty swabbed samples using sponge were collected from the surface of facilities and utensils at restaurants and total and coliform counts were measured. Also thirty- six air samples were collected at inside of three restaurants for measuring total, coliform, Staphy-lococcus and mold and yeast counts. All collected samples kept in an ice-packed box were transported to the laboratory and analyzed. The results demonstrated that most swabbed samples were highly contaminated with microorganisms and coliforms. The degree of contamination depended on the sampling sites. Averages of total counts of surface swab samples were ranged from not detectable to 2.14$\times\10^{9}$/200 $cm^{2}$, while those of coliforms from not detectable to 8.34$\times\10^{7}$/200 $cm^{2}$/200 $cm^{2}$. Microorganisms also detected from most agar strips of air samples for total, coliform, Staphylococcus and mold and yeast counts. The severely contaminated sites were floor, trench, water bottle, plastic drainer, rubber gloves, shelves, and unsealed wet towel. Those sites should be focused and controlled according to control Points of sanitation standard operating Procedures. Also, periodic microbiological examination in addition to visual examination should be applied on those highly contaminated sites for reducing risk of foodborne disease outbreak at restaurants

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 1988

To investigate the infection status of Enterobius vermicularis the author tried surveys by srotchtape anal swab on school-children and household environmental factors considered to have inauences on the infection were analysed by an inquiry method with questionnaire. The survey was carried out in October, 1986 and 1988 in urban and suburban areas and the results could be summarized as follows: 1. The egg Positive rate in anal swab. was 16.0% (male 14.5%, female 17.6%) out of 2, 156 school-children and higher in female group. 2. The egg Positive rate of suburban school-children (175% out of 1, 305 children of two primary schools) was a little higher than that of urban school.children (13.6% out of 851 children of one primary school). 3. The questionnaire analysis on environmental factors showed some significant relations between the egg Positive rate and such factors as the number of brothers and sisters, householder's occupation, and availability of childroom or bathroom. The results indicate that, although enterobiasis in school-children has shown decreasing tendency in Korea, it is still considerably high in some urban and suburban areas.