• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2007

To develop a rapid and reliable single-tube-based PCR technique for detection simultaneously the quinolone resistance qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes. After multiple alignment, primers were designed to detect known qnr variants. I was used for A total of 43 extented-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from university hospital were tested for screening, as with qnr genes. In optimized conditions, all positive controls confirmed the specificity of the PCR primers. Out of 43 isolates, qnrA genes were detected 19 (44.2%), qnrB genes 5 (11.7%), qnrS genes 15 (34.9%) and 8 (18.6%) isolates were not detected. I report here a fast and reliable technique for rapid screening of qnr positive strains to be used for epidemiological surveys.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.703-709
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL) gene and quinolone resistance determinant (qnr) and the pattern of antibiotic resistance in the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates. The 42 ESBL-producing strains from total 274 isolates were detected using a double disk synergy test. They were isolated from various specimens, such as urine (28 strains), sputum (6 strains), pus (3 strains), wound (2 strains), blood (2 strains), and tissue (1 strain). Using the PCR with the specific primers ESBL, ESBL and qnr gene types were determined. Thirty-five strains possessed one or two ESBL genes. CTX-M-1 type was the most abundant followed by CTX-M-9 type and TEM, but SHV, CTX-M-2, and CTX-M-8 gene types were not detected. qnr gene types were detected from ten isolates in the order of qnrB4, qnrB1, and qnrS. Coexistence of ESBL and qnr genes was found. ESBL-producing isolates showed high resistance against some antibiotics, such as cefotaxmie (80.0%), levofloxacin (82.9%), and ampicillin (100%). Neither a synergy effect from the coexistence of ESBL and qnr genes on antibiotic resistance nor a correlation between the production of qnr gene and quinolone resistance were found.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.287-292
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• 2023

This study investigated the genetic determinants of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance (PMAR) to quinolones and tetracycline in 106 Aeromonas strains isolated from eel (Anguilla japonica, 70 strains) and ornamental fish (36 strains) in Korea. Quinolones and tetracycline resistance phenotypes were found to be widely distributed throughout the both fish groups. However, the prevalence of qnr and tet genes was higher in ornamental fish strains than in eel strains (42.9% vs. 86.1% for qnr and 51.4% vs. 69.4% for tet). In addition, the profiling of the present genetic determinants revealed the dominance of qnrS, tetA, tetE and tetE+qnrS genes for eel strains but of tetA+qnrS qnrS and tetE+qnrS genes for ornamental fish strains. These results indicate that aquaculture and related industries could be a major threat to public health due to the possible spread of PMAR.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.964-967
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• 2010

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants have been contributed to quinolone resistance of gram-negative bacteria worldwide. However, little data on the prevalence of these determinants in bacteria from animals are available in Korea. In this study, the prevalence of PMQR genes was investigated with E. coli originating from diseased animals. Among 55 E. coli tested, 11 showed PMQR genes by PCR. The most prevalent genotype was qepA (14.5%), followed by aac(6')-Ib-cr (7.3%) and qnrS (1.8%). Interestingly, two isolates with PMQR genes did not show quinolone resistance in this study. The isolates exhibited higher fluoroquinolone resistance in aac(6')-Ib-cr in combination with qnrS or qepA compared with aac(6')-Ib-cr only. In a conjugal transfer test, PMQR genes were transferred from donor to recipient.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characterization of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene in 79 Enterobacteriaceae isolated from dogs and cats. Of 79 isolates, PMQR genes were found in 10 (12.7%) isolates, including aac(6')-lb-cr, qnrB, qnrS and qnrA detected alone or in combination in 8 (10.1%), 4 (5.1%), 2 (2.5%) and 1 (1.3%) isolates, respectively. Interestingly, two qnrS genes were detected in nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin susceptible isolates. Extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL) was detected in 90% (9 isolates) of PMQR positives isolates. Among ESBL genes, CTX-M, TEM and SHV were detected in 9, 8 and 3 isolates, respectively. Almost all PMQR genes were detected in co-existence with ESBL genes. All PMQR positives isolates were multidrug resistance (i.e. resistant to five or more antibiotics). qepA, OXA and CMY-2 genes were not found. The six transconjugants were obtained by conjugation experiment. The aac(6')-lb-cr, qnrB and qnrS were co-transferred with CTX-M, TEM and/or SHV, whereas qnrA was not observed among transconugants. This is the first report of the presence of aac(6')-lb-cr and qnrA gene among Enterobacteriaceae isolates from dogs in Korea. The prudent use of antimicrobials and continuous monitoring for companion animals are required.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2021

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistant gram-negative pathogens have emerged worldwide, and the recent increase in FQ resistant Escherichia coli is of great concern in Korea. This study investigated FQ resistance determinants and the epidemiological relationship of 56 ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolated from a tertiary hospital in Daejeon, South Korea from June to December 2018. Molecular epidemiology was investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis were performed to identify chromosomal mutations in the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE and to describe the occurrence of the following plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes: aac(6)-Ib-cr, qepA, qnrA, qnrB, qnrC, qnrD, and qnrS. MLST analysis showed 12 sequence types (STs) and the most prevalent ST was ST131 (31/56, 55.4%), followed by ST1193 (13/56, 23.2%), and ST405 (3/56, 5.4%). In 56 ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates, Ser83→Leu and Asp87→Asn in gyrA and Ser80→Ile and Glu84→Val in parC (51.8%, 29/56) were the most frequent amino acid substitutions and aac(6)-Ib-cr (33.9%, 19/56) was the most common PMQR gene. These results of FQ resistance determinants were more frequently observed in ST131 compared with other clones. Continuous monitoring of the epidemiological characteristics of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates and further investigation of FQ resistance determinants are necessary.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1276-1286
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• 2024

The environment has been identified as an origin, reservoir, and transmission route of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Among diverse environments, freshwater environments have been recognized as pivotal in the transmission of ARGs between opportunistic pathogens and autochthonous bacteria such as Aeromonas spp. In this study, five environmental strains of Aeromonas spp. exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR) were selected for whole-genome sequencing to ascertain their taxonomic assignment at the species-level and to delineate their ARG repertoires. Analyses of their genomes revealed the presence of one protein almost identical to AhQnr (A. hydrophila Qnr protein) and four novel proteins similar to AhQnr. To scrutinize the classification and taxonomic distribution of these proteins, all Aeromonas genomes deposited in the NCBI RefSeq genome database (1,222 genomes) were investigated. This revealed that these Aeromonas Qnr (AQnr) proteins are conserved intrinsic resistance determinants of the genus, exhibiting species-specific diversity. Additionally, structure prediction and analysis of contribution to quinolone resistance by AQnr proteins of the isolates, confirmed their functionality as quinolone resistance determinants. Given the origin of mobile qnr genes from aquatic bacteria and the crucial role of Aeromonas spp. in ARG dissemination in aquatic environments, a thorough understanding and strict surveillance of AQnr families prior to the clinical emergence are imperative. In this study, using comparative genome analyses and functional characterization of AQnr proteins in the genus Aeromonas, novel Aeromonas ARGs requiring surveillance has suggested.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and resistance genes in 62 Escherichia coli isolated from dogs and cats hospitalized at animal hospitals in Daegu. E. coli isolates showed high resistance to nalidixic acid (46.8%) and ampicillin (45.2%). Resistance to the other antimicrobial agents was less than 30%, and no resistant isolates were detected for imipenem and amikacin. Of the 28 ampicillin-resistant isolates, TEM and CTX-M genes were detected in 16 (57.1%) and 11 (39.3%), respectively. The aadA gene was found in 4 (26.7%) of 15 gentamicin-resistant isolates, and strA-strB gene was found in 10 (66.7%) isolates. The sul I and sul II genes were detected in 11 (61.1%) and 14 (77.8%) of 18 trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates, and tetB gene in 9 (81.8%) of 11 minocycline-resistant isolates, and cmlA gene in 2 (22.2%) of 8 chloramphenicol-resistant isolates. The qnrB and qnrS genes were found in 3 (10.3%) and 1 (3.4%) of 28 nalidixic acid-resistant isolates, respectively. Whereas, none of the SHV, CMY-2, tetA, dfr Ia and dfr VII, and qnrA genes were found. Our results show a wide variety of resistance genes in E. coli isolates from dogs and cats. This study also represents the first report of qnrB and qnrS gene producing E. coli isolates from dogs in republic of Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1180-1183
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• 2020

The prevalence and characterization of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants in ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from a Korean commercial layer farm were studied. A total of 45 ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates were recovered and all isolates were multidrug-resistant. Eight isolates have the PMQR genes aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1, and qnrB4, and seven isolates exhibited double amino acid exchange at both gyrA and parC, and have high fluoroquinolone minimum inhibitory concentrations. Five transconjugants demonstrated transferability of PMQR and β-lactamase genes and similar antimicrobial resistance. Because PMQR genes in isolates from commercial layer chickens could enter the food supply and directly affect humans, control of ciprofloxacin resistance is needed.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.168-170
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• 2007

In this research 26 Shigella isolates were examined by PCR and direct nucleotide sequencing for genetic alterations in the quinolone-resistance determining regions (QRDRs). We tested for the presence of qnr genes by PCR in 91 strains, but no qnr genes were found. The results did show, however, some novel mutations at codon 83 of gyrA ($Ser{\rightarrow}Ile$) and codon 64 of parC ($Ala64{\rightarrow}Cys,\;Ala64{\rightarrow}Asp$), which were related to fluroquinolone resistance.