• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.299-306
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• 2012

Recently, the prevalence of 16S rRNA methylase conferring high-level resistance to aminoglycosides has been increasing in Gram-negative bacilli globally. We determined the prevalence and genotype of these methylase-producing bacteria, and characterized the co-resistance to ${\beta}$-lactam antibiotics and quinolone in Gram-negative clinical isolates collected in 2010 at a hospital in Korea. Among 65 amikacin-resistant isolates screened from 864 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), 16S rRNA methylase genes were detected from 49 isolates, including Acinetobacter baumannii (43), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2), Proteus mirabilis (2) and Serratia marcescens (1), Empedobacter brevis (1). All of the 16S rRNA methylase genotype was armA and no variant sequences of amplified PCR products for armA were noted. The 16S rRNA methylase producing bacteria showed much higher resistance to aminoglycoside for Enterobacteriaceae and glucose non-fermenting (NF)-GNB and to imipenem for glucose NF-GNB, than the non-producing isolates. All of the 16S rRNA methylase producing Enterobacteriaceae had the extended-spectrum-${\beta}$-lactamase. In addition, two K. pneumoniae concurrently produced both plasmid-mediated AmpC ${\beta}$-lactamase and qnrB gene. All of the amikacin-resistant A. baumannii (43) co-harbored armA 16S rRNA methylase and $bla_{OXA-23}$ carbapenemase. In conclusion, 16S rRNA methylase producing bacteria were very prevalent among GNB in South Korea, and were commonly associated with co-resistance, including carbapenem and quinolone.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.394-401
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• 2016

Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, a genome editing technology, was shown to be versatile in treating several antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the present study, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to kill extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. ESBL bacteria are mostly multidrug resistant (MDR), and have plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes that can be easily transferred to other members of the bacterial community by horizontal gene transfer. To restore sensitivity to antibiotics in these bacteria, we searched for a CRISPR/Cas9 target sequence that was conserved among >1,000 ESBL mutants. There was only one target sequence for each TEM- and SHV-type ESBL, with each of these sequences found in ~200 ESBL strains of each type. Furthermore, we showed that these target sequences can be exploited to re-sensitize MDR cells in which resistance is mediated by genes that are not the target of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, but by genes that are present on the same plasmid as target genes. We believe our Re-Sensitization to Antibiotics from Resistance (ReSAFR) technology, which enhances the practical value of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, will be an effective method of treatment against plasmid-carrying MDR bacteria.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• 제99권3호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2024

목적: 장내세균에서 3세대 cephalosporin 계열 항생제에 내성을 나타내는 주된 내성 기전은 extended spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)를 생성하는 것이다. ESBL 생성 장내세균은 ESBL 생성균이라고 하더라도 piperacillin/tazobactam 감수성 균인 경우 piperacillin/tazobactam을 사용해 볼 수 있으며 후향적 연구에서 carbapenem 계열 항생제를 투여한 경우에 비해 열등하지 않은 치료 효과가 보고된 바 있다. 하지만 미국감염학회 2023년 지침에서는 ESBL 생성 그람음성균 감염에서 carbapenem 계열 항생제를 권고하고 piperacillin/tazobactam 감수성인 그람음성균이더라도 carbapenem 계열 항생제를 투여하도록 하고 있다. 하지만 carbapenem 내성 장내세균의 증가 등으로 비 carbapenem 계열의 항생제들의 사용 필요성에 대한 평가는 아직도 필요한 상황이다. 이에 제주대학교병원의 ESBL 생성 장내세균속 균혈증 환자들의 carbapenem과 비 carbapenem 계열 항생제의 치료 효과를 보고한다. 방법: 2021년 1월부터 12월까지 527명의 성인 장내세균속 균혈증 환자들 중에서 ESBL 생성 장내세균속 환자 152명을 대상으로 후향적 자료를 수집하고 3개월 이내 장내세균 감염이 있었던 환자들과 30일 후 추적 관찰을 하지 못한 환자들을 제외하고 분석하였다. 결과: 총 118명의 ESBL 생성 장내세균속 균혈증 환자들중에서 54명의 환자가 확정적 항생제로 비 carbapenem 계열 항생제로 치료하였고 64명의 환자가 carbapenem 계열 항생제로 치료하였다. Kaplan-Meier 생존 분석 방법으로 30일 치료 실패율과 사망률을 분석한 결과 30일 치료 실패율은 비 carbapenem군이 16.7%, carbapenem군이 18.8%로 양 군 간의 유의한 차이는 없었다(p = 0.65). 30일 사망률은 비 carbapenem 계열군이 14.8%, carbapenem 계열군이 17.2%로 양 군 간의 유의한 차이는 없었다(p = 0.63). 전체 환자들 중에서 치료 실패한 환자들을 다변량 로지스틱 회귀 분석한 결과에서 요로 감염 외 감염과 이전 30일 이내 항생제 사용력이 있는 경우 치료 실패의 위험인자로 확인되었다. 결론: ESBL 생성 장내세균속 균혈증 환자들은 국내에서 확정적 항생제로 비 carbapenem 계열의 항생제를 사용해 볼수 있으나 중증 환자들을 포함한 다기관, 전향적 후속 연구들이 필요하다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.421-426
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• 2014

To characterize the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from Korea in 2008-2011, we screened seven enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and one enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) that produce ESBLs from a nationwide survey. All eight isolates produced CTX-M-type ESBLs, including CTX-M-12 (n = 4), CTX-M-14 (n = 2), and CTX-M-15 (n = 2). PCR-based replicon typing indicated that the $bla_{CTX-M-12}$ genes of four ETEC isolates were carried on a conjugative IncF plasmid, whereas the $bla_{CTX-M-14}$ of one EAEC was located on an IncK plasmid. This is the first report of the occurrence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ genes in clinical isolates of EAEC in Korea. The ESBL-producing isolates were shown to be different based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, whereas the four isolates with CTX-M-12 were clonally related. These observations raise an alarm for the spread of plasmid-mediated resistance to ESBL among diarrheagenic E. coli.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.72-81
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• 2000

연구배경 : 본 연구에서는 기계 호흡 관련 폐렴 환자에서 항생제의 사용이 기관지 폐포 세척술에 미치는 영향과 원인 균주의 특성을 알아 보고자 하였다. 방법 : 1999년 4월부터 9월까지 영동 세브란스 병원에서 기계 호흡과 항생제 치료를 함께 받던 환자 25명을 대상으로 전향적 연구를 하였다. 대상 환자들은 대조군과 인공 호흡기 관련 폐렴군으로 나누었다. 기관지 폐포 세척액의 세균의 정량 배양이 진단 역치는 $10^4$ cfu/ml로 잡았다. 결과 : 1) 기관지 폐포 세척액의 그랑 염색에서 대조군 중 1명에서 VAP 환자군에서는 4명에서 양성의 결과를 나타내었다. 정량 배양에서 대조군에서는 모두 진단 역치 이하 였으나 VAP 군에서는 9명에서 양성의 결과를 보여 전체적으로 진단의 민감도는 43.8%였다. 2) 배양된 균주들의 빈도는 E. cloacae, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumani 등의 순이었다. S. aureus 와 Staphylococcus coagulase(-)는 모두 oxacillin에 저항성을 보였으며 그람 음성 균주들 중 10례 중 3례를 제외한 나머지 모두가 cefotaxime과 ceftazidime에 저항성을 보여 extended spectrum $\beta$-lactamase(ESBL)를 생산하는 균주로 추정되었다. 3) 기관 흡인 검체와 기관지 세포 세척액의 그람 염색 결과는 1례에서만 일치하였다고 배양된 균주들도 3예에서만 일치하였다. 결 론 : 항생제 사용 중 발생한 기계 관련 폐렴에서는 기관지 폐포 세척액의 그람 염색과 정량 배양의 정확도는 높은 편이나 민감도는 낮은 편이었고, 통상적인 기관 흡입 검체를 이용한 검사 결과와의 일치율도 낮으므로 해석에 주의를 하여야 할 것으로 생각된다. 나아가 약제 내성 균주의 빈도도 외국의 경우와 큰 차이가 없이 높으므로 항생제의 선택과 사용에도 신중을 기하여야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.148-153
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated trends in antibiotic resistance for gram-negative bacteria in infants with a urinary tract infection (UTI) over 15 years at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for children younger than 24 months who visited the emergency room and were diagnosed with a UTI between January 2000 and December 2014. We selected urine culture data that grew Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Baseline clinical information and results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests were analyzed by dividing the 15-year study time frame into three periods (A: 2000-2004, B: 2005-2009, and C: 2010-2014). Results: During the study period, 478 applicable children were identified (E. coli, 89.7% and K. pneumoniae, 10.3%). Antibiotic resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was increased from period A to period C (A, 2.1%; B, 8.3%; C, 8.8%; P=0.025). Resistance to quinolones also showed a steady pattern during periods A to C, although it was not statistically significant (A, 7.9%; B, 9.7%; C, 12.4%; P=0.221). The incidence of Extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing gram-negative bacteria increased from period A to period C (A, 1.4%; B, 7.6%; C, 8.2%; P=0.012). Conclusion: This study revealed that the common uropathogens E. coli and K. pneumoniae experienced increasing resistance rates against third-generation cephalosporins and a constant antibiotic resistance to quinolones in children younger than 24 months. We also showed a recent increased incidence of ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteria in patients with community-acquired UTIs. Therefore, it is necessary to actively surveil resistance in order to properly select empirical antibiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.1377-1383
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• 2006

Among 46 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates collected in 2004, two imipenem-resistant isolates were obtained from clinical specimens taken from patients hospitalized in Busan, Republic of Korea. Two carbapenemase-producing isolates were further investigated to determine the mechanism of resistance. These isolates were analyzed by antibiotic susceptibility testing, microbiological tests of carbapenemase activity, determination of pI, transconjugation test, enterobacterial repetitive consensus (ERIC)-PCR, and DNA sequencing. Two cases of infection by A. baumannii producing the IMP-1 ${\beta}$-lactamase were detected. The isolates were characterized by a modified cloverleaf synergy test and EDTA-disk synergy test. Isoelectric focusing of crude bacterial extracts revealed nitrocefin-positive bands with a pI value of 9.0. PCR amplification and characterization of the amplicons by direct sequencing indicated that the isolates carried a $bla_{IMP-l}$ determinant. The isolates were characterized by a multidrug resistance phenotype, including penicillins, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides. These results indicate that the observed imipenem resistance of two Korean A. baumannii isolates was due to the spread of an IMP-1-producing clone. Our microbiological test of carbapenemase activity is simple to screen class B metallo-${\beta}$-lactamase-producing clinical isolates to determine their clinical impact and to prevent further spread. This study shows that the $bla_{IMP-l}$ resistance determinant, which is emerging in Korea, may become an emerging therapeutic problem, since clinicians are advised not to use extended-spectrum cephalosporins, imipenem, and aminoglycosides. This observation emphasizes the importance of having effective control measures in Asian hospitals, such as early detection of colonized patients, isolation procedures, and a judicious use of antibiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.423-431
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• 2006

Among 53 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates collected in 2004, nine imipenem-resistant isolates were obtained from clinical specimens taken from patients hospitalized in Busan, Korea. Nine carbapenemase-producing isolates were further investigated in order to determine the mechanisms underlying resistance. These isolates were then analyzed via antibiotic susceptibility testing, microbiological tests of carbapenemase activity, pI determination, transconjugation test, enterobacterial repetitive consensus (ERIC)-PCR, and DNA sequencing. One outbreak involved seven cases of infection by A. baumannii producing OXA-23 ${\beta}-lactamase$, and was found to have been caused by a single ERIC-PCR clone. During the study period, the other outbreak involved two cases of infection by A. baumannii producing IMP-1 ${\beta}-lactamase$. The two clones, one from each of the outbreaks, were characterized via a modified cloverleaf synergy test and an EDTA-disk synergy test. The isoelectric focusing of the crude bacterial extracts detected nitrocefin-positive bands with pI values of 6.65 (OXA-23) and 9.0 (IMP-1). The PCR amplification and characterization of the amplicons via direct sequencing showed that the clonal isolates harbored $bla_{IMP-1}$ or $bla_{oxA-23}$ determinants. The two clones were characterized by a multidrug resistance phenotype that remained unaltered throughout the outbreak. This resistance encompassed penicillins, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, and aminoglycosides. These results appear to show that the imipenem resistance observed among nine Korean A. baumannii isolates could be attributed to the spread of an IMP-lor OXA-23-producing clone. Our microbiological test of carbapenemase activity is a simple method for the screening of clinical isolates producing class D carbapenemase and/or class B $metallo-{\beta}-lactamase$, in order both to determine their clinical impact and to prevent further spread.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

Although asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, and acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been categorized as urinary tract infections (UTIs), the immunopathogenesis of each disease is different. APN shows an age predilection; the majority of children (over 70-80%) with APN are under 1-2 years of age, with a male predominance. After 1-2 years of age, female predominance has been reported. This finding suggests that the immature immune state of infancy may be associated with the pathogenesis of APN. Escherichia coli is the most common etiologic agent; other uropathogens associated with UTIs originate from the host and comprise normal flora that are continuously altered by environmental factors. Therefore, uropathogens may have characteristics different from those of extraneous bacterial pathogens. Although antibiotic-resistant uropathogens, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains, are increasing in Korea and worldwide, treatment failure is rare in immune-competent children. The immunopathogenesis of APN remains unknown. Intact bacteria may not be the causative substances in renal cell injury; rather, smaller substances produced during bacterial replication may be responsible for renal cell injury and scarring. Moreover, substances from host cells such as proinflammatory cytokines may be involved in renal cell injury. A dimercaptosuccinic acid scan is used to detect the site of bacterial replication in the renal parenchyma, and may be influenced by the size of the focus and the stage of APN. Traditional aggressive studies used to identify vesicoureteral reflux after the first episode of APN have been modified because of rare cases of chronic kidney disease in patients with recurrent UTI.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.765-770
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• 2014

This study aimed to characterize CTX-M producers of urinary E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates and to determine the prevalence of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance genes among them. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, and PCR and sequencing were performed. Among the 42 (82.3%) E. coli and 24 (77.4%) K. pneumoniae isolates containing $bla_{CTX-M}$, $bla_{CTX-M-14}$ and $bla_{CTX-M-15}$ were detected in 23 and 19 E. coli isolates, respectively, and in 7 and 17 K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. CTX-M producers of urinary E. coli and K. pneumoniae were resistant to multiple antibiotics and contained other antimicrobial resistance genes. CTX-M-15 producers contained more antimicrobial resistance genes than did CTX-M-14 producers.