• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1999

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) have recently emerged in Korean hospitals, as well as in those of other countries. VRE have been partially attributed to the overuse and misuse of vancomycin. The mecbanisms of VRE resistance are related to VanA, VanB, and VanC. Both VanA and VanB produce abnormal ligase enzymes to form D-ala-D-lactate termini in E. faecium and E. faecalis, instead of D-ala-D-ala termini. Meanwhile, Van C produces D-ser-D-ala termini in E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. These abnormal termini have a low affinity to vancomycin. As a result, VRE avoid the activity of vancomycin by these mechanisms. Unfortunately, there is no approved therapy for the treatment of VRE. Thus, available but uncommonly prescribed antibiotics (due to their toxicity or unproven efficacy) may become possible options. They include chloramphenicol, novobiocin, fosfomycin, and bacitracin. The combination therapy of available agents may also be the other options. They include high doses of a penicillin- or ampicillin-aminoglycoside combination, high doses of an ampicillin/sulbactam and aminoglyoosidcs combination, an ampicillin and vancomycin combination, and a ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, and rifampin combination. With respect to the near future, many types of investigational agents will most likely expand their treatment options for VRE. Teicoplanin, a glycopeptide, can be used for VanB- and VanC-related VRE. LY333328, a new generation of glycopeptide, is effective in treating VanA as well as VanB and VanC. RP59500 (quinupristin/dalfopristin), a streptogramin, is effective in treating vancomycin-resistant E. faecium. New generation quinolones (especially clinatloxacin) are potential options for the treatment of VRE, even though they cannot work as effectively against VRE as they can against Staphylococci. Both glycylcyclines (a new generation of tetracyclines) and ketolides (a new generation of macrolides) show good activity against Enterococci, regardless of vancomycin susceptibility. Oxazolidinones (i. e. eperezolid and 1inezolid) and everninomicins (i. e. SCH27899) are new groups of antibiotics, which also demonstrate good activity against VRE. It is imperative that clinical pharmacists take the responsibility of investigating new treatment options for VRE in order to combat this growing problem throughout the world.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.57.1-57.11
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• 2020

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) acts as an etiological agent for lameness, neurological signs, and high mortality in pigs. Despite its importance in pig industries and zoonotic potential, little is known about the effects of this pathogen. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of SDSE strains isolated from diseased pigs. Methods: A total 11 SDSE isolates were obtained from diseased pigs. Bacterial identification, PCR for virulence genes, emm typing, and antimicrobial resistance genes, multilocus sequence typing, and antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed. Results: Nine isolates were from piglets, and 8 showed lameness, sudden death, or neurological signs. The isolates were PCR-positive for sla (100%), sagA (100%), and scpA (45.5%), and only 1 isolate amplified the emm gene (stL2764). Eight different sequence types were detected, categorized into 2 clonal complexes and 4 singletons. All the isolates in this study were included in a small cluster, which also contained other strains derived from humans and horses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the tested beta-lactams were low, while those for macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones were relatively high. PCR analysis of the macrolide and tetracycline resistance genes demonstrated that the isolates carried erm(B) (18.2%, n = 2), mef(A/E) (9.1%, n = 1), tet(M) (18.2%, n = 2), and tet(O) (90.2%, n = 10). Two isolates presented a mutation in parC, which is associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Conclusion: This study provided insight into swine-derived SDSE, as it is related to veterinary medicine, and elucidated its zoonotic potential, in the context of molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in public health.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.11
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• 2022

Background: Escherichia coli, which causes subclinical or clinical mastitis in cattle, is responsible for transmitting antimicrobial resistance via human consumption of raw milk or raw milk products. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of 183 E. coli from bulk tank milk of five different dairy factories in Korea. Methods: The molecular characteristics of E. coli such as serogroup, virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and integron genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction and antimicrobial susceptibility were tested using the disk diffusion test. Results: In the distribution of phylogenetic groups, group D was the most prevalent (59.6%) and followed by group B1 (25.1%). The most predominant serogroup was O173 (15.3%), and a total of 46 different serotypes were detected. The virulence gene found most often was fimH (73.2%), and stx1, fimH, incC, fyuA, and iutA genes were significantly higher in isolates of phylogenetic group B1 compared to phylogenetic groups A, B2, and D (p < 0.05). Among 64 E. coli isolates that showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial, the highest resistance rate was observed for tetracyclines (37.5%). All 18 integron-positive E. coli carried the integron class I (int1) gene, and three different gene cassette arrangements, dfrA12+aadA2 (2 isolates), aac(6')-Ib3+aac(6')-Ib-cr+aadA4 (2 isolates), and dfrA17+aadA5 (1 isolate) were detected. Conclusions: These data suggest that the E. coli from bulk tank milk can be an indicator for dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors via cross-contamination.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.278-286
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• 2010

Veterinary antibiotics have been used to treat disease and to promote growth of livestock. However, the total amount of veterinary antibiotics in Korea was much greater than other developed countries, and there is a high potential to release residual of antibiotics to environment. Consequentially, released antibiotics into the environment produces antibiotic resistant bacteria and causes adverse effects on human health. The objective of this research was to monitor antibiotic concentration in the environment adjacent to facilities which compose chicken manure. Total of 10 antibiotics were selected based on the total amount of higher usage in Korea, and its residuals were measured from surface water, soil and sediment. The frequencies of detected antibiotics were ranged 31-92% from soil, 0-93% from water, and 33-93% from sediment. Generally, a higher frequency was observed in soil or sediment than water. Different ranges in concentration among 4 different antibiotic groups was found from not detected(N.D.) to 35.6 ${\mu}g/kg$ for soil, N.D. to 19.2 ${\mu}g/L$ for water and N.D. to 114.3 ${\mu}g/kg$ for sediment. Our findings suggest that solid phase such as soil and sediment is a critical component to be needed to conduct the environmental impact assessment of antibiotics.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2007

In this study, one hundred strains of bacterial flora were isolated from the intestine of cultured and wild black rockfish Sebastes inermis collected in Yeosu and examined for drug resistance to 9 antibiotics. From cultrued fish, the isolated bacteria were Photobacterium group (26 strains) and Acinetobacter group (18 strains) of Gram-negative, and unidentified marine sediment bacterium (6 strains) of Gram-positive. From wild fish, Photobacterium group (18 strains), Acinetobacter group (12 strains) and Shewanella group (5 strains) of Gram-negative and Bacillus group (8 strains), Staphylococcus group (4 strains), and unidentified marine sediment bacterium (3 strains) of Gram-positive. Intestine flora of wild black rockfish was more diverse than that of one cultured. The drugs tested were tetracyclines (oxytetracycline), aminoglycosides (gentamicin), macrorides (erythromycin) and quinolones (flumequine, oxolinic acid, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin). Sensitivity to all seven antibiotics except oxytetracycline and oxolinic acid was higher in bacteria from wild fish than from cultured ones, although wild isolates were more resistant than control strain Escherichia coli ATCC9637. This suggests that use of antibiotics in the fish farm might have some resistance in intestinal flora of wild fish.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.425-431
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• 1996

Human neutrophil elastases (HNElastase, EC 3.4.21.37), a causative factor of inflammatory diseases, are regulated by plasma proteinase inhibitors, alpha-proteinase inhibitor and ${\alpha}_2-macroglobulin$. Under certain pathological conditions, however, released enzymes or abnormal function of inhibitors may cause various inflammatory disease. NSAIDs have been clinically applied for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase is a known mechanism of action of NSAIDs in the treatment of inflammatory disease. In in vitro experiments, HNElastase was inhibited by naproxen, phenylbutazone, and oxyphenbutazone, but ibuprofen, ketoprofen, aspirin, salicylic acid, and tolmetin did not inhibit elastase. HNElastase was also inhibited by chelating agents, EDTA & EGTA, and tetracyclines. Removal of divalent metal ions by EDTA caused inhibition of elastase, and reconstitution of the metal ions recovered the enzyme activity to a certain level. Frequencies and contours in the Raman spectra of various conditions of human neutrophil elastase undergo drastic changes upon partial removal and/or reconstitution of calcium and zinc ions. The metal ion content dependent activities and change of the contour of the Raman spectrogram suggest us that the mechanism of action of a chelator or chelator-like agents on neutrophil elastase may be related to the conformational change at/or near the active site, especially -C=O radical or -COOH radical.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.256-260
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• 1999

Minimun-detectable levels to 28 antibacterial agents used for the prevention and the treatment of fish diseases were determined to establish optimal detective method of bioassay in fish by the EEC 4-plate method, the modified method of EEC 4-plate and the standard method of analysis in food safety regulation. The test organisms used in the methods of bioassay were as follows: Bacillus subtilis BGA (B. subtilis) and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 (M. luteus) in the EEC 4-plate method, B. subtilis, M. luteus and Bacillus cereus var. mycoides ATCC 11778 (B. cereus) in the modified of EEC 4-plate, and B. subtilis, M. luteus, B. cereus and Bacillus stearothermophilis var. calidolactis C-953 (B. stearothermophilis) in the standard method. The standard method showed predominant sensitivity in the detection of penicillins (PCs), and was also highly sensitive to aminoglycosides (AGs). The sensitivity of standard method in the detection of tetracyclines (TCs), marrolides (MLs), nitrofuran derivatives(NFs) and quinolones (QNs) was very low, and against sulfonamides (SAs), however, was extremely low. The modified method of EEC 4-plate showed very high sensitivity to TCs. Both the EEC 4-plate and the modified method of EEC 4-plate showed competitively high sensitivity in the detection of PCs, MLs, NFs, QNs and SAs. All the methods studied in the experiment showed very low sensitivity against chloramphenicol (CMs). Consequently, the modified method of EEC 4-Plate was the best bioassay method with a wide range of sensitivity for the optimal detection of the residual antibacterial agents in fish.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2010

Concentration of antibiotics including a tetracycline group (TCs) of tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and oxytetracycline (OTC), a sulfonamide group (SAs) of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfathiazole (STZ), and sulfamethazine (SMT), an ionophore group (IPs) of lasalocid (LSL), monensin (MNS), and salinomycin (SLM), and a macrolide group (MLs) of tylosin (TYL) was determined from samples collected from the agricultural soil, stream water, and sediment. For the agricultural soil samples, the concentration of TCs had the highest value among all tested antibiotic's groups due to its high accumulation rate on the surface soils. The lower concentrations of SAs in the agricultural soils may be resulted from its lower usage and lower distribution coefficient (Kd) compared to TCs. The concentration of TCs in stream water was significantly increased through June to September. It would be likely due to soil loss during an intensive rainfall event and a reduction of water level after the monsoon season. A significant amount of TCs in the sediment was also detected due to its accumulation from runoff, which occurred by complexation of divalent cations, ion exchange, and hydrogen bonding among humic acid molecules. To ensure environmental or human safety, continuous monitoring of antibiotics residues in surrounding ecosystems and systematic approach to the occurrence mechanism of antibiotic resistant bacteria are required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2006

Residual materials such as veterinary drugs, environmental contaminants, and pesticides are affecting food safety. High resolution techniques and quality controls are needed to analyze these materials from part per million to part per trillion quantities in food. In order to achieve quality results, standardized methods and techniques are required. Our laboratories were prepared to obtain a certificate of accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025 in the analytical criteria of animal drugs, dioxins, pesticides, and heavy metals. ISO together with IEC has built a strategic partnership with the World Trade Organization with the common goal of promoting a free and fair global trading system. ISO collaborates with the United Nations Organization and its specialized agencies and commissions, particularly those involved in the harmonization of regulations and public policies including the World Health Organization and CODEX Alimentarius for food safety measurement, management and traceability. Our goal was to have high quality analysts, proper analytical methods, good laboratory facilities, and safety systems within guidelines of ISO/IEC 17025. All staff members took requirement exams. We applied proficiency tests in the analysis of veterinary drugs (nitrofuran metabolites, sulfonamide and tetracyclines), dioxins, organophosphorus pesticides, and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As) to the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) at Central Science Laboratory, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), England. The results were very satisfactory. All documents were prepared, including system management, laboratory management, standard operational procedures for testing, reporting, and more. The criteria encompassed the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:1999. Finally, the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) accredited our testing laboratories in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of the National Standards Act. The accreditation will give us the benefit of becoming a regional reference laboratory in Asia.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2002

This study was conducted to Provide basic information Promoting egg qualify improvement and hygienic control by grasping of present market egg distribution system and hygienic quality. The eggs of 57 brands collected from the department food stores in Incheon Metropolitan City were examined. Eggs were kept in room temperature in all the market and 70.2% of the brands were marked the expiration date indicating that eggs would be available over 28 days after being laid. Fifty-four % of the market eggs was classified as a special or functional egg. Expiration date and date of laying were common labelling items in all brands. These items were labelled in trade mark sheet or eggs tray. Only 66.6% of the brands had the mark about net quantity of contents. The inspection about the exterior and contents of eggs has results as follows: eggshell contamination of feces and feather-9.5%, abnormal and broken eggshell -3.9%, blood and meat spots in contents -14.7% and watery whites -1.8%. Average of Haugh Unit(HU) was 56.1 and below HU 31 were 18 of 285 eggs(6.3%), in addition, more than one egg detected in 12 brands(21.1%) among 57 brands have inferior quality. Salmonella enteritidis from eggshell and antibodies directed from S. enteritidis in the yolks of eggs available in the market were not detected. Ranges of Total bacterial count (CFU/ml) on eggshell of eggs were < 10~8.2$\times$10$_3$, and isolation ratio of Escherichia coli were 4.7%. Tetracyclines were detected in 1.8% of the eggs(1 of57 brands) by CHARMII. As mentioned above, quality control and improving distribution system were required to facilitate egg consumption and improve public health by complementing labelling items and quality standards.