• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2015

This study was performed to analyze the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms isolated from the carcass and environments of chicken processing plant located in Gyeonggi province from October to November in 2010. Chicken slaughterhouse was visited 3 times and totally 40 samples were collected from chicken carcass before and after washing (n=14), chicken cuts (n=7), cooling water (n=8), brine (n=2), cutting knives (n=7) and working plate (n=2). Whole-chicken rinsing technique (for chicken carcasses) and swab technique (for working plate and knives) were used to analyze the distribution of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, brine and chilling water from storage tanks were gathered using sterilized tubes and used as samples. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) for whole cell fingerprinting in combination with a dedicated bioinformatic software tool was used to identify the isolated microorganisms. The pathogenic microorganisms, such as Bacillus cereus (n=8) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=9), were isolated form the chicken processing process (chicken carcasses of before and after chilling, chicken cuts, and working plate). The antimicrobial susceptibility of those isolated microorganisms was analyzed using 21 antimicrobial agents. In the case of B. cereus, it showed 100% of resistance to subclasses of penicillins and peptides, and it also resistant to cephalothin, a member of critically important antimicrobials (CIA), however there was no resistance (100% susceptible) to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. S. aureus showed 100% resistance to subclasses of peptides and some of penicillins (penicillin and oxacillin), however, it showed 100% susceptibility to cephalosporins (cefazolin and cephalothin). All of the tested pathogens showed multi drug resistance (MDR) more than 4 subclasses and one of B. cereus and S. aureus showed resistance to 9 subclasses. After the ban on using the antimicrobials in animal feed in July 2011, there would be some change in microbial distribution and antimicrobial resistance, and it still has a need to be analyzed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.896-904
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the probiotic characteristics and immune activities of selected lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains as feed additives in livestock. 301 LAB strains isolated from traditional fermented foods were first assessed for their antibacterial activity potential. Of the 301 isolates, five showed antibacterial activity against five livestock pathogens (Esherichia coli KCCM11234, Listeria monocytogens KCTC3710, Salmonella Typhimurium KCTC1926, Staphylococcus aureus KCCM11593, and Shigella flexneri KCTC2517). The probiotic characteristics of the five selected strains were also investigated by antioxidative activity, hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase, acid resistance and bile tolerance. The SRCM102607 strain was found to have superior probiotic properties and was selected for further experimentation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that SRCM102607 is Pediococcus acidilactici, which was labeled as P. acidilactici SRCM102607 (KCCM 12246P). The survival characteristics of P. acidilactici SRCM102607 in artificial gastrointestinal conditions were assessed under exposed acidic (pH 2.0) and bile (0.5% and 1.0%) conditions. P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was also confirmed to have resistance to various antibiotics, including amikacin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and etc. The TNF-α production by P. acidilactici SRCM102607 was 171.86±4.00 ng/ml. These results show that P. acidilactici RCM102607 has excellent potential for use as a probiotic livestock feed additive.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.537-549
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• 1998

This investigation was performed to isloate and identify the total bacteria, Staphylococcus spp. and fungi from the indoor air exposed for 30 minutes on the blood agar plate at the 27 places in a hospital. Antibiotic susceptibility tests of the isolated bacteria were also studied. The mean numbers of total bacteria, Staphylococci spp. and fungi were 26, 17, and 2 in the summer and 19, 8, and 2 in the winter, respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common isolated bacteria, and the next was Staphylococcus aureus, Aerococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. from the indoor-air of hospital. Aspergillus spp., Cephalosporum spp., Curvularia spp., penicillium spp., and Phialophora spp. was frequently isolated from the indoor-air of hospital. The 109 strains of isolated Staphylococcus epidermidis sho-wed resistance to tetracycline(45.0%), methicillin(40.2%), erythromycin(31.2%), and kanamycin(24.8%). The 76 strains of isolated Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to erythromycin(71.7%), methicillin(63.2%), kanamycin (44.7%), tetracycline(39.5%), and ampicillin(32.9). The 67 strains of isolated Aerococcus spp. showed resistance to erythromycin(26.9%), methicillin(25.4%), kanamycin(22%), and tetracycline(22.4%). The 48 strains of isolated Micrococus spp. showed resistance to tetracycline(27.0%), methicillin(22.9%), erythromycin(22.9%), and kanamycin(20.8%).

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2007

The detection and distribution of Aeromonas in water supplies were investigated by using the USEPA Method 1605. Water samples were collected from the Han River, finished waters and tap waters supplied from Water Treatment Plants in Seoul monthly from July 2002 to December 2003. Aeromonas species in each water sample were quantified based on the development of yellow colonies on the surface of membrane filter using a selective medium (Ampicillin-Dextrin Agar with Vancomycin). The Quality Control (QC) for this study met the acceptance criteria of Method 1605. The concentrations of Aeromonas species in surface water samples ranged from $1.0{\times}10^{0}\;to\;9.8{\times}10^{3}\;CFU/ml$. Aeromonas species were found only in one tap water sample with concentration of 1 CFU/500 ml. No Aeromonas species were found in any finished water samples. Aeromonas species detected here were identified as A. salmonicida(51%), A. caviae(4.7%), A. schubertti(3.4%), A. sobria(3.8%), A. hydrophila(2.1%), and A. ichithiosmia(0.4%). A. salmonicida was the dominant species, which is of no significance to human health. Chlorine resistance of A. salmonicida was evaluated and as a result, 99.99% of A. salmonicida decreased after 30 seconds exposure at residual free chlorine 0.2 mg/L. These suggest that the waters supplied in Seoul may be safe against the pathogenic agent Aeromonas.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2013

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that produces a wide array of toxins, leading to a number of adverse symptoms. We examined 275 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various foods between 2006 and 2008 for antimicrobial susceptibility. At least 259 (94.2%) of the tested strains showed antibiotic resistant properties, and 106 (40.7%) of them showed multiple antibiotic resistance. Eleven of the tested strains were resistant to oxacillin and mec A-positive. Moreover, oxacillin-resistant strains were significantly more likely to be multi-drug resistant (p < 0.01). Of the 275 isolates tested, 24.4% were noted as being positive for slime production and 30.5% were positive for biofilm assay. Antibiotic resistance was not associated with a significantly higher prevalence of biofilm formation. Twenty strains were classified using the DiversiLab system. Most of the strains could be classified into 2 clusters and 4 unique types. All 10 mec A-positive strains (cluster I) were grouped together into the same sub-cluster. Cluster II (6 strains) was not found to be resistant to oxacillin in this study. Although the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus in food is currently low, the risk of its transmission through the food chain cannot be disregarded.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 2017

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) can be colonized in various body sites and is more frequently isolated in healthcare associated persons. This study aimed to evaluate the contamination rate of MRS in a high school environment, those living with closed life style. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from only the hands of 2 students among a sample of 28 students, and S. aureus were susceptible to methicillin antibiotics. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated from the hands of 26 students (26/28, 92.9%), and among them, 14 (53.8%) isolates were methicillin-resistant CoNS (MRCoNS). Among the 14 MRCoNS, S. warneri was the most common (8/14, 57%) and susceptible to most $non-{\beta}-lactam$ antibiotics, such as clindamycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and vancomycin. In a culture of 31 desks, S. aureus was not isolated but CoNS were isolated from 26 desks (26/31, 83.6%), which did not harbor the mecA gene. The other bacteria isolated from the hands and desks were Micrococcus and Bacillus spp. In conclusion, methicillin-resistant S. aureus was not isolated from the hands and desks of high school students. However, the frequency of MRCoNS harboring mecA gene were high in the hands of high school students. Therefore, to prevent and to control the transfer of infection, intensifying preventive education, such as hand washing, and active surveillance systems, such as an investigation of contamination or carrier rate of resistant bacteria are necessary.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1997

Vibrio mimicus is a closely related species with V. cholerae, and has been reported to be associated with gastrointestinal infections. Although extraintestinal infections of these vibrios have also been reported in Japan and Southeast Asia. But little research papers on V. mimicus was reported in Korea. Therefore, we tried to isolate V. mimicus from the environmental sea water from April to July in Pusan, Korea. Among the isolated strains, we selected the strongest hemolytic strain and then named V. mimicus SM-9. In this paper, we checked the antibiotic susceptibility and psychrotrophic characteristics of the isolated strain. Hemolytic activity of the hemolysin produced by the isolated strain was also measured. V. mimicus was not detected from the sea water samples in April and May, but its detection rate was relatively high in June and July in Pusan, Korea. The bacteriological characteristics of V. mimicus SM-9 were Gram-negative rods, motile, oxidase positive, Voges-Proskauer negative and sucrose negative. In 23 kinds of antibiotics susceptibility test, V. mimicus SM-9 showed susceptibility to the most of antibiotics submitted while it was resistive against lincomycin, oxacillin, rifampin and vancomycin. Hemolytic activity of the hemolysin produced by V. mimicus SM-9 was highest in stationary phase of the growth curve in BHI broth at 37$^{\circ}C$ and its activity was reached 18 HU per $m\ell$ of culture supernatant. For checking the psychrotrophic property of V. mimicus SM-9, the decreasing rate of the strain in phosphate buffer solution and yellowtail flesh homogenate was examined during the storage at 4, 0, -4 and -2$0^{\circ}C$. The decreasing rates of the selected strain stored in phosphate buffer solution were greater than those in fish homogenate. Decreasing rates of V. mimicus SM-9 stored in phosphate buffer solution were not significantly different by the storage temperatures. The viable cell counts of the strain were decreased as 5 log cycles after 120 hours at all the tested temperatures. While decreasing numbers of the strain in fish homogenates were 2*4 log cycles after 120 hours. The decreasing pattern of the strain numbers were very slow after 200 hours at all the stored temperatures.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2018

Information on the prevalence of S. aureus and the current antimicrobial resistance profile is necessary in selecting the appropriate treatment of S. aureus infections in any part of the world. This study examined the frequency and antibiotic resistance list of S. aureus isolates obtained from clinical specimens at one hospital in Korea. A total of 1,746 gram positive cocci collected were identified as S. aureus. S. aureus isolates were obtained from different samples including sputum (N=565; 32.4%), endotracheal aspirate (358; 20.5%), wounds (329; 18.8%), blood (137; 7.8%), urine (67; 3.8%), and pus (59; 3.4%). All 1,545 S. aureus (100%) strains screened from sputum (565; 36.6%), endotracheal aspirate (388; 25.1%), wounds (329; 21.3%), blood (137; 8.9%), urine (67; 4.3%), and pus (59; 3.8%) were sensitive to glycopeptide (vancomycin, teicoplanin), oxazolidinone (linezolid) and stretogramin (quinupristin/dalfopristin). The prevalence of resistant S. aureus was significantly (P<0.01) lower in urine, blood, pus, wounds, and sputum than in endotracheal aspirates. As a result, there was a significant difference in the antibiotic resistance of S. aureus according to the clinical specimens.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2000

Antimicrobial resistance has been a well-recognized problem ever since the introduction of penicillin into clinical use. History of antimicrobial development can be categorized based on the major antibiotics that had been developed against emerging resistant $pathogens^1$. In the first period from 1940 to 1960, penicillin was a dominating antibiotic called as a "magic bullet", although S.aureus armed with penicillinase led antimicrobial era to the second period in 1960s and 1970s. The second stage was characterized by broad-spectrum penicillins and early generation cephalosporins. During this period, nosocomial infections due to gram-negative bacilli became more prevalent, while those caused by S.aureus declined. A variety of new antimicrobial agents with distinct mechanism of action including new generation cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems, ${\beta}$-lactamase inhibitors, and quinolones characterized the third period from 1980s to 1990s. However, extensive use of wide variety of antibiotics in the community and hospitals has fueled the crisis in emerging antimicrobial resistance. Newly appeared drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase-producing Klebsiella, and VRSA have posed a serious threat in many parts of the world. Given the recent epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and its clinical impact, there is no greater challenge related to emerging infections than the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Problems of antimicrobial resistance can be amplified by the fact that resistant clones or genes can spread within or between the species as well as to geographically distant areas which leads to a global concern$^2$. Antimicrobial resistance is primarily generated and promoted by increased use of antimicrobial agents. Unfortunately, as many as 50 % of prescriptions for antibiotics are reported to be inappropriate$^3$. Injudicious use of antibiotics even for viral upper respiratory infections is a universal phenomenon in every part of the world. The use of large quantities of antibiotics in the animal health industry and farming is another major factor contributing to selection of antibiotic resistance. In addition to these background factors, the tremendous increase in the immunocompromised hosts, popular use of invasive medical interventions, and increase in travel and mixing of human populations are contributing to the resurgence and spread of antimicrobial resistance$^4$. Antimicrobial resistance has critical impact on modem medicine both in clinical and economic aspect. Patients with previously treatable infections may have fatal outcome due to therapeutic failure that is unusual event no more. The potential economic impact of antimicrobial resistance is actually uncountable. With the increase in the problems of resistant organisms in the 21st century, however, additional health care costs for this problem must be enormously increasing.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Objectives Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a human pathogen and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. New antibacterial agents that have not been compromised by bacterial resistance are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity ofethanol extract of Haedokgeumhwa-san (HGH) which prescription is composed of korean medicine against MRSA. Methods The antibacterial activity of HGH extract was evaluated against MRSA strains by using the Disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration; MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test; its mechanism of action was investigated by bacteriolysis, detergent or ATPase inhibitors. The checkerboard dilution test was used to examined synergistic effect of ampicillin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, gentamicin and norfloxacin in combination with HGH ethanol extract. A time-kill assay was performed a survival curve which was obtained by plotting viable colony counts depending on time on bacterial growth. Results The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract (HGH) ranged from 1,000 to $2,000{\mu}g/mL$ against all the tested bacterial strains, respectively. We are able to confirm that HGH extract has potentially strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, fractional inhibitory concentration index of HGH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergy or partial synergism against S. aureus. A time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after 8 hr of treatment with the combination of HGH with selected antibiotics. For measurement of cell membrane permeability, HGH $250{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$ along with concentration of Triton X-100 (TX) and Tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris) were used. In the other hand, N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) and Sodium azide ($NaN_3$) was used as an inhibitor of ATPase. TX, Tris, DCCD and $NaN_3$ cooperation against S. aureus showed synergistic action. Accordingly, antimicrobial activity of HGH was affected by cell membrane and inhibitor of ATPase. Conclusions These results suggest that Haedokgeumhwa-san extract has antibacterial activity, and that HGH extract offers a potential as a natural antibiotic against MRSA.