• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2021

Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are responsible for regulating biofilm formation, persister cell formation, pmtR expression, host cell lysis, and anti-bacterial effects. To determine the effect of psm deletion on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, we investigated psm deletion mutants including Δpsmα, Δpsmβ, and Δpsmαβ. These mutants exhibited increased β-lactam antibiotic resistance to ampicillin and oxacillin that was shown to be caused by increased N-acetylmannosamine kinase (nanK) mRNA expression, which regulates persister cell formation, leading to changes in the pattern of phospholipid fatty acids resulting in increased anteiso-C15:0, and increased membrane hydrophobicity with the deletion of PSMs. When synthetic PSMs were applied to Δpsmα and Δpsmβ mutants, treatment of Δpsmα with PSMα1-4 and Δpsmβ with PSMβ1-2 restored the sensitivity to oxacillin and slightly reduced the biofilm formation. Addition of a single fragment showed that α1, α2, α3, and β2 had an inhibiting effect on biofilms in Δpsmα; however, β1 showed an enhancing effect on biofilms in Δpsmβ. This study demonstrates a possible reason for the increased antibiotic resistance in psm mutants and the effect of PSMs on biofilm formation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 2006

Metallo-${\beta}$-lactamase (MBL) can hydrolyze all ${\beta}$-lactams except monobactams and frequently coexists with various antibiotic resistance genes such as aminoglycoside resistance, sulfonamide resistance gene, etc. Therefore, the effective antibiotics against infections by these bacteria are markedly limited or can't even be found. We tried to search in-vitro antimicrobial combinations with synergistic effects for a VIM-2 type MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from clinical specimen. On the selection of antibiotic combinations with synergistic effects, we performed a one disk synergy test, modified Pestel's method, in agar without aztreonam (AZT). The bacteriostatic synergistic effects of this tests were scored as $S_1$ (by susceptibility pattern in agar without antibiotics), $S_2$ (by the change of susceptibility in agar with or without antibiotics) and $S_3$ ($S_1$ + $S_2$) and was classified into weak (1 point), moderate (2 points) and strong (3 points) by $S_3$ score. Subsequently, we carried out the time-killing curve for the antibiotic combinations with the strong synergistic bacteriostatic effect. One VIM-2 type MBL producing P. aeruginosa confirmed by the PCR showed all resistance against all ${\beta}$-lactams except AZT, aminoglycoside and ciprofloxacin. In the one disk synergy test, this isolate showed a strong bacteriostatic synergistic effect for the antibiotic combination of AZT and piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP-TZP) or AZT and amikacin (AN). On the time-killing curve after six hours of incubation, the colony forming units (CFUs/mL) of this bacteria in the medium broth with both combination antibiotics were decreased to 1/18.7, 1/17.1 of the least CFUs of each single antibiotics. The triple antibiotic combination therapy including AZT, PIP-TZP and AN was shown to be significantly synergistic after 8 hrs of exposure. In a VIM-2 MBL producing P. aeruginosa with susceptibility for AZT, the triple antibiotic combination therapy including AZT, PIP-TZP and AN may be considered as an alternative antibiotics modality against the infection by some MBL type. But the antimicrobial combination therapy for many more MBL producing isolates is essential to know as soon as possible for the selection of effective treatment against the infection by this bacteria.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.911-916
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• 2012

Recently, antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in the environment are emerging as pollutants, since these genetic contaminants can eventually be transferred to human pathogens. The aim of this study was to develop the experimental model of antibiotic resistant gene (ARG) plasmid transfer as a function of various environmental conditions. For this purpose, the multi drug resistant plasmid pB10, which is known to be originally isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, was selected as a model transfer plasmid and Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$ containing pB10 was used as a model donor. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, was selected as the recipient for the conjugation experiment. When the donor and recipient were exposed to various stressors including antibiotics and heavy metal as a function of the concentrations (10, 100 and, 1000 ppb), statistically increased plasmid transfer rate was observed at a concentration of 10 ppb of tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole compared to control (no antibiotic exposure). Accordingly, the developed experimental ARG model by various stressor is a promising tool for evaluating the dissemination of ARGs by micro-contaminants in aquatic environment.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

Interaction of a representative antibiotic, doxycycline(Doxy), with commercial poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and cationic-dyeable poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) fiber was studied in development of infection resistant biomedical materials. Regular PET was also employed for a comparison purpose. Their interactions were investigated at different treatment temperatures, times, and pHs. Fibers were also hydrolyzed by 1% NaOH for 1 or 2 hours at $85^{\circ}C\;and\;100{\circ}C$ to study effect of hydrolysis on antibiotic sorption. Infection-resistant characteristics of the substrates were evaluated by zone of inhibition (ZOI) test. Results revealed that a significant chemical change occurred in PAN and cationic-dyeable PET due to hydrolysis. Additional functional groups obtained by hydrolysis not only enhanced sorption of the antibiotics but also provided greater ZOI values, indicating substantial improvement in sustained infection resistance properties.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.886-893
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• 2012

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotic-resistant strain. In most cases, MRSA is spread from infected patients and infection rates are growing increasingly. Furthermore, increased resistance to antibiotics is causing serious problems in the world. Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for both nosocomial and community-based infections that range from relatively minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated antimicrobial activity of oriental medicine prescription against MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Sohamhyung-tang water extract against S. aureus strains ranged from 500 to 2,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, so we have it confirmed that a strong antibacterial effect. Also, the combinations of Sohamhyung-tang water extract and conventional antibiotics exhibited improved inhibition of MRSA with synergy effect. We suggest that Sohamhyung-tang water extract against MRSA have antibacterial activity, it has potential as alternatives to antibiotic agent. We suggest that the Sohamhyung-tang water extract lead the treatment of bacterial infection to solve the resistance and remaining side-effect problems that are the major weak points of traditional antibiotics.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.70-88
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• 2020

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) form an essential part of the intestinal microbiota of the human body and possess the ability to stabilize the intestinal microbiota, strengthen immunity, and promote digestion as well as intestinal synthesis of vitamins, amino acids, and proteins. Hence, LAB are currently widely used in various products. However, due to the indiscriminate overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock, bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been increasing rapidly, which has led to serious problems in the treatment of bacterial infections. Additionally, several reports have revealed that antibiotic-resistant LAB may infect people whose immune systems are not fully developed or whose immune systems are temporarily weakened. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the possibility of antibiotic-resistant LAB causing diseases in humans and animals, investigate the mechanism of action between antibiotics and LAB, and determine the relevant regulations for the safe use of LAB.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.15
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• 2022

Background: Antibacterial agents play important roles in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and carry-over of substances into the environment are several problems arising during oral treatment of bacterial infections. We assessed AMR development in commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) in enrofloxacin treated and untreated animals. In addition, we examined fluoroquinolone in the plasma and urine of treated and untreated animals, and in sedimentation dust and aerosol. Methods: In each trial, six pigs were treated with enrofloxacin via powder, granulate or pellet forms in two time periods (days 1-5 and 22-26). Four pigs served as untreated controls. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to evaluate AMR development. Analysis of enro- and ciprofloxacin was performed with high performance liquid chromatography. Results: Non-wildtype E. coli (MIC > 0.125 ㎍/mL) was detected in the pellet treated group after the first treatment period, whereas in the other groups, non-wildtype isolates were found after the second treatment period. E. coli with MIC > 4 ㎍/mL was found in only the pellet trial. Untreated animals showed similar susceptibility shifts several days later. Bioavailability differed among the treatment forms (granulate > pellet > powder). Enro- and ciprofloxacin were detected in aerosols and sedimentation dust (granulate, powder > pellet). Conclusions: This study indicates that the kind of the oral dosage form of antibiotics affects environmental contamination and AMR development in commensal E. coli in treated and untreated pigs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.286-295
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• 2011

Bacteria resistant to various antibiotics have recently become an issue of the utmost importance. Resistant strains are not uncommon, even in municipal drinking water sources. The health threat posed by resistant, pathogenic bacteria has serious ramifications for both public health and agriculture. In this study, we isolated antibiotic resistant bacteria from water samples from the Han River, Korea, which is contaminated by the wastewater from many industrial complexes, hospitals, agricultural and animal husbandry estates, and from wastewater treatment facilities. We determined the degrees of resistance to various antibiotics exhibited by the isolated strains. The similarities between the isolated $E.$ $coli$ strains were examined, using the pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, in order to trace their origins and to explore the syntechnic adaptations and pathogenicity of the various strains and relate these to their genetic sequence. A total of 25 $E.$ $coli$ strains were isolated from six stations along the Han River. All the 25 strains exhibited resistance to ampicillin. We also investigated resistance to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, cefazolin, cofoxitin, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, nalidixic acid, aztreonam, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol and imipenem. Based on the ESBL detection, 14 strains belonged to the ESBL producing strains. The number of the clonal complex producing strains was 5 among the 14 isolated strains. The 5 strains were included in the 168, 23, 38, 469, 156 clonal complex, respectively. The rest 9 strains were not included in the clonal complex, but showed independent STs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

Ten strains of plasmid-harboring Bifidobacterium sp. were isolated from the feces of adults and children, and named as Bifidobacterium sp. GE1-GE8, ST, and SH5. These plasmids were categorized into three homologous groups (pKJ50-homologous, pKJ36-homologous, and non-homologous groups) according to Southern hybridization patterns using the formerly characterized bifidobacterial plasmids, pKJ50 and pKJ36, as probes. nine strains harboring the plasmids were shown to accumulate single-stranded DNA as a replication intermediate, based on the S1 nuclease treatment and Southern hybridization. These results suggest that the strains replicate by a rolling circle mechanism. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the isolated bifidobacteria against several antibiotics were determined. Two strains, GE2 and GE3, showed relatively high MiC values against tetracycline ($793.6{\mu}g/ml$) and erythromycin ($153.6{\mu}g/ml$), respectively. The tetracycline resistance of GE2 disappeared when the resident plasmid of GE2 was cured by ethidium bromide. These results show that pKJ36-homologous and pKJ50-homologous plasmids are prevalent among various Bifidobacterium strains and some Bifidobacterium plasmids appear to code for antibiotic resistance.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.614-621
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• 2020

Antibiotic pollution is one of the factors contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. Advanced oxidation and irradiation processes have been introduced to eliminate antibiotics from water and wastewater. However, few studies have reported the toxic effects of residual antibiotics and their byproducts induced by a treatment system. In this study, we compared the efficacies of chemical (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)) and biological (antimicrobial susceptibility test) assays for measuring the concentrations of residual antibiotics after gamma irradiation for degrading amoxicillin, cephradine, lincomycin, and tetracycline. The concentrations of residual antibiotics estimated using the two assay methods were almost identical, except cephradine. In the case of cephradine, inhibited bacterial growth was observed that was equivalent to twice the concentration measured by HPLC in the samples subjected to gamma irradiation. The observed inhibition of bacterial growth suggested the generation of potentially toxic intermediates following antibiotic degradation. These results indicate that biological and chemical assays should be used in concert for monitoring antibiotic contamination and the toxic derivatives of antibiotic degradation. The results demonstrate that these four antibiotics can be decomposed by 2.0 kGy gamma-irradiation without toxic effects of their byproducts.