• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2016

Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a worldwide concern. We present a case of a 12-year-old child with IE of the native mitral valve due to MRSA infection after an invasive dental procedure. Based on the clinical symptoms and the presence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, the patient was initially diagnosed with presumed bacterial meningitis and treated with empiric antibiotics. On the third day of hospitalization, MRSA was cultured from the initial blood samples and vegetation was observed on the mitral valve during an echocardiogram, findings which are compatible with a diagnosis of IE. The revised guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE advise that IE prophylaxis for dental procedures is reasonable only for patients with underlying cardiac conditions, who are at the highest risk of adverse outcomes from IE. However, in this case, the patient had no high risk factors indicative of IE prophylaxis, except for mitral valve prolapse. She had no recurrence of IE over a follow-up period of 12 months.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.412-419
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• 2007

In the present study, we investigated antimicrobial activity of the medicinal plants against various strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Among the tested, the plants extracts of Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum, Coptidis rhizoma, Reynoutria elliptica Migo., Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea Miq.seed exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against MRSA KCCM 11812, 40510 and S. aureus ATCC 25923. The methanol extract of Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum showed strong antimicrobial activity against MRSA KCCM 11812, 40510 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 at the 5 mg/disc. A synergistic effect was found in combined extracts of Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and Coptidis rhizoma as compared to each extracts alone. The result suggests that medicinal plant extracts can be used as an effective natural antimicrobial agent in food.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2022

The spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, has increased due to the frequent use of antibiotics. Inhibition of the quorum-sensing systems of biofilm-producing strains using plant extracts represents an efficient approach for controlling infections. Torilis japonica is a medicinal herb showing various bioactivities; however, no studies have reported the anti-biofilm effects of T. japonica extracts against drug-resistant S. aureus. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of T. japonica ethanol extract (TJE) on biofilm production in methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) KCTC 1927, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) KCCM 40510, and MRSA KCCM 40511. Biofilm assays showed that TJE could inhibit biofilm formation in all strains. Furthermore, the hemolysis of sheep blood was found to be reduced when the strains were treated with TJE. The mRNA expression of agrA, sarA, icaA, hla, and RNAIII was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to determine the effect of TJE on the regulation of genes encoding quorum sensing-related virulence factors in MSSA and MRSA. The expression of hla reduced in a concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with TJE. Moreover, the expression levels of other genes were significantly reduced compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, TJE can suppress biofilm formation and virulence factor-related gene expression in MSSA and MRSA strains. The extract may therefore be used to develop treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1039-1046
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• 2005

The salt resistance of antibacterial activity and synergistic effect with clinically used antibiotic agents are critical factors in developing effective peptide antibiotic drugs. For this reason, we investigated the resistance of antibacterial activity to antagonism induced by NaCl and $MgCl_2$ and the synergistic effect of P20 with cefotaxime. P20 is a 20-residue synthetic peptide derived from a cecropin A (CA)-melittin(ME) hybrid peptide. In this study, P20 was found to have potent antibacterial activity against clinically isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains without hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. The combination study revealed that P20 in combination with cefotaxime showed synergistic antibacterial activity in an energy-dependent manner. We also confirmed the synergism between P20 and cefotaxime by fluorescence-activated flow cytometric analysis by staining bacterial cells with propidium iodide (PI) and bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol (BOX). This study suggests that P20 may be useful as a therapeutic antibiotic peptide with synergistic effect in combination with conventional antibiotic agents.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.96-99
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• 2016

Survival rates of preterm infants have improved in the past few decades, and central venous catheters play an important role in the intensive medical treatment of these neonates. Unfortunately, these indwelling catheters increase the risk of intracardiac thrombosis, and they provide a nidus for microorganisms during the course of septicemia. Herein, we report a case of persistent bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant, along with vegetation observed on an echocardiogram, the findings which are compatible with a diagnosis of endocarditis. The endocarditis was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy, and the patient recovered without major complications. We suggest a surveillance echocardiogram for ELBW infants within a few days of birth, with regular follow-up studies when clinical signs of sepsis are observed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic effect of various photosensitizing agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA was exposed to light from a 632 urn diode laser (15 J/$cm^2$) in the presence of various photosensitizer, such as photofrin, photogem, radachlorine and ALA. In vivo study was performed using ICR mice. Twenty eight mice had a standard wound ($100\;mm^2$) created on the dorsum, and MRSA was inoculated into the wound region. The four groups were classified as follows: (1) the untreated control group (bacteria alone), (2) the bacteria plus light group (15 J/$cm^2$), (3) the bacteria plus photofrin group (kept in the dark), and (4) the photodynamic therapy (PDT) group (bacteria, photofrin, and light). After photofrin (dose 1 mg/kg) injection, the experimental group was irradiated with 632 urn diode laser (15 J/$cm^2$) for 30 minutes after In vitro results of PDT showed the complete killing of MRSA at the photofrin, radachlorine, and photogem However, ALA-PDT was ineffective on MRSA viability. In vivo results showed that photofrin has therapeutic effect on the wound infection. These results demonstrate that selective lethal photosensitization of MRSA can be achieved using phofrin, photogem and radachlorin. Thus, PDT can inactivate MRSA survival.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.383-389
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• 1999

A randomized experimental study was done to evaluate short course therapeutic efficacies of two types of mupirocin ointment (Bactroban Nasal and Bactroban) in the elimination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization (16 dogs) and wound infection (3 dogs or 18 wound sites) in dogs. In each model, dogs being assigned to TR-1 treatment group was given ointment twice a day for two consecutive days, and those that assigned to TR-2 treatment group was given the same dose for three days. Neither TR-1 nor TR-2 regimen was effective to clear nasal carriage completely with a clearing rate of 62.5% and 87.5%, respectively. Whereas, for 2 days at least twice daily application of mupirocin for wound infection was quite enough to eliminate MRSA, with a clearing rate of 83.3~100% by 4 weeks follow-up. No apparent side effects were observed in each model, and in no case was it necessary to discontinue the treatment. Further controlled studies on the elimination of nasal colonization are required to establish cost-effective and efficient regimen on companion animals.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2009

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) is a traditional Korean medicine that is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as edema, arthritis, hepatitis, and endangitis. The several extracts of danshen were tested for antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in clinic by broth microdilution method, the checkerboard, and time-kill methods to evaluate the synergistic effects of the combination of the extracts with antibiotics. The chloroform ($CHCl_3$) and n-hexane (HEX) extracts [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.0078-0.3125${\mu}g/mL$; minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), 0.019-0.625${\mu}g/mL$] were found to have strong antibacterial activity against MRSA. Additionally, when the $CHCl_3$ and HEX extracts were co-administered with ampicillin or oxacillin, a synergistic effect against MRSA was observed. Furthermore, a time-kill study evaluating the effects of the extracts against MRSA indicated that treatment with the $CHCl_3$ extract in combination with ampicillin or oxacillin produced rapid bactericidal activity. These results suggest that danshen extracts may have potently antimicrobial activity and thus, it can be a suitable phytotherapeutic agent for treating MRSA infections.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.566-571
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• 2019

One-pot hydrothermal route was adopted to synthesize Al:BiVO₄, at 4 h and 8 h reaction durations, by adding 1% aluminiumoxide powder (w/v) to the precursors. The products were investigated using several characterization techniques that conform a significant morphological change and a decrease in bandgap energy of the materials upon Al modification of scheelite monoclinic bismuth vanadate matrix at both hydrothermal durations. Antibacterial experiments were performed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in visible light condition to harness the photoxidation property of Al-doped BiVO₄ and compare to that of unaltered BiVO₄. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the synthesized materials was identified. The results indicate that Al-doping on BiVO₄ has a significant effect on its photocatalytic antibacterial performance. Al:BiVO₄ synthesized at 8 h hydrothermal treatment parades excellent sunlight-driven photocatalysis compared to the one synthesized at 4 h.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.395-403
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• 2005

Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen in the intensive care units (ICUS). The purpose of this case-control study is to identify risk factors for acquisition of MRSA during ICU stays in patients with and without MRSA. Method: The study was conducted in a 16 beds-neurosurgical intensive care unit of a 2200-bed tertiary care university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Medical record and Critical Classification Scoring System were reviewed retrospectively in patients who were admitted more than 3 days from August 1, 2003 to May 30, 2004. Cases and controls were matched for age and gender. The obtained specimens were nasal swab and sputum. Result: There were 950 patients' admissions during the period. Among them, MRSA was isolated from twenty-three patients who were considered as hospital acquired. Artificial airway (p=.045), frequency of suction (p=.002), nasogastric tube (p=.004), wound drain (p=.045), and vancomycin (p=.019) were risk factors for MRSA acquisition in univariate analysis. Frequency of suction (p=.012, OR 3.5) was revealed as the only risk factor in multivariate conditional logistic regression. Conclusion: Our findings give support to recent studies that suggest that frequent physical contact maγ increase the nosocomial acquisition of MRSA in a neurosurgical ICU.