Original article PDF Eui-Chong Kim1, Eun-Ha Koh2, Sunjoo Kim2, Jung-Oak Kang3, Jae-Seok Kim4, Jeong Hwan Shin5, Nam Yong Lee6, Joseph Jeong7, Ji-Hyun Cho8 Chulhun L. Chang9, Young Ree Kim10 Department of Laboratory Madicine, 1Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 2Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, 3Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, 4Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, 5Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, 6Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 7University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, 8Wonkwang University Medical School, Iksan, 9Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, 10Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea Corresponding to Sunjoo Kim, E-mail: sjkim8239@hanmail.net Ann Clin Microbiol 2011;14(3):85-90. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2011.14.3.85Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for a wide spectrum of human diseases. We investigated the distribution of emm types and antibiotic resistance rates of GAS from clinical specimens in several Korean medical

Case report PDF Young In Kim1, Kyoung Un Park2, Il Joong Park1, Seo-Jin Park1, Wee Gyo Lee1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, 1Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 2 Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea Corresponding to Wee Gyo Lee,, E-mail: weegyo@ajou.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2011;14(2):79-82. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2011.14.2.79Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Listeria grayi is a catalase-positive, non-spore forming, and glucose-fermenting Gram-positive rod. L. grayi is widely distributed in environments such as soil, water and fresh food. Human infection by L. grayi is very rare, and there have been no cases reported in Korea, and only two cases worldwide. Dermabacter hominis is a relatively new species belonging to the coryneform bacteria and is a component of the normal human skin flora. D. hominis is a non-motile, glucose-fermenting, Gram-positive rod that has similar biochemical characteristics to L. grayi. The authors of the present study report a case initially misidentified

Case report PDF Chang Eun Yoon, Young Joon Hong, Jin Kyung Lee, Yoon Hwan Chang, Seok-Il Hong Department of Laboratory Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Seok-Il Hong, E-mail: hongsicp@kcch.re.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2011;14(1):36-38. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2011.14.1.36Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is discriminated from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) via an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) which is based on the reactions of monoclonal antibodies against MPT64, one of the predominant proteins excreted by MTBC. Recently, the authors of the present study discovered SD TB-negative Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. In addition, sequence analysis of the mpt64 genes in these strains was performed and showed a deletion of 63 bp from nucleotides 196 to 258. In cases of MPT64-negative mycobacterium, the authors recommend performing TB PCR for correct diagnosis. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2011;14:36-38) Keywords Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mpt64 gene, Mutation

Original article PDF Jayoung Kim1, Yeon-Joon Park1, Nam Yong Lee2, Chulhun L . Chang3, Miae Lee4, Jong Hee Shin5 Department of Laboratory Medicine, 1College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 2Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 3Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, 4Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, 5Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea Corresponding to Yeon-Joon Park, E-mail: yjpk@catholic.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2012;15(4):117-124. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2012.15.4.117Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: We evaluated the performance of the AdvanSure MDR-TB GenoBlot Assay kit (AdvanSure MDR-TB, LG Life Science, Korea) to detect mutations related to rifampin (RFP)- and isoniazid (INH)-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory specimens.  Methods: From February 2010 to June 2010, a total of 542 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates were collected from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in six university hospitals across Korea. We analyzed the conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST) and compared the

Original article PDF Eun Jeong Won1, Jong Hee Shin1, Won-Kil Lee2, Sun Hoe Koo3, Shine Young Kim4, Yeon-Joon Park5, Wee Gyo Lee6, Soo-Hyun Kim1, Young Uh7, Mi-Kyung Lee8, Mi-Na Kim9, Hye-Soo Lee10, Kyungwon Lee11 Department of Laboratory Medicine, 1Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 2Kyungpook National University of Medicine, Daegu, 3Chungnam National University of Medicine, Daejeon, 4Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, 5The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, 6Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 7Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, 8Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, 9Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 10Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, 11Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Jong Hee Shin, E-mail: shinjh@chonnam.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2013;16(2):92-100. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2013.16.2.92Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: The incidence of fungal infections varies among hospitals and between different time periods. We performed a nationwide

Original article PDF Jayoung Kim1, Yeon-Joon Park1, Nam Yong Lee2, Chulhu L. Chang3, Miae Lee4, Jong Hee Shin5 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, 5Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea Corresponding to Yeon-Joon Park, E-mail: yjpk@catholic.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2013;16(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2013.16.1.1Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: We analyzed the prevalence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from respiratory specimens of patients with newly diagnosed and previously treated tuberculosis. Methods: From February 2010 to July 2010, a total of 542 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates were collected from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in six university hospitals distributed throughout Korea. We analyzed the results

Research note PDF Sun Young Cho1, You Sun Nam2, Hyung-Seok Yang1, Yun Soo Soh3, Min Jin Kim4, Hee Joo Lee1 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 2Department of Biomedical Science, 3Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Graduate School, 4Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Hee Joo Lee, E-mail: leehejo@khmc.or.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2014;17(2):65-68. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2014.17.2.65Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract The efflux pump system has been suggested as an important mechanism in the drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In this study, molecular analysis of five genes in the efflux pump system of MTB isolates from Korean patients was performed in order to identify appropriate molecular targets. In this study, 35 culture-positive specimens were included. PCR was performed for five efflux genes, mmpL7, efpA, mmr, p55 and tap-like gene. In the 35 clinical isolates, molecular analysis of five kinds of efflux pump genes was

Case report PDF Yong Kwan Lim, Se Min Oh, Oh Joo Kweon, Mi-Kyung Lee Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Mi-Kyung Lee, E-mail: cpworld@cau.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2015;18(3):98-101. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2015.18.3.98Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Clostridium ramosum is Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus and is known as a non-pathogenic enteric bacterium. It is a member of the RIC group, which is a subgroup of Clostridium having atypical characteristics. Rarely, it has been reported as a pathogen of otitis media in young children or the cause of infection in immunosuppressed adults. Here, we report the first two Korean cases of C. ramosum bacteremia in colon cancer and pressure sore cases, respectively. (Ann Clin Microbiol 2015;18:98-101) Keywords Bacteremia, Clostridium ramosum, Immunocompromised host

Research note PDF Tae Sang Oh1, Hee Yoon Kang2, You Sun Nam1, Young Jin Kim2, Eun Kyung You2, Min Young Lee2, Sun Young Cho2, Hee Joo Lee2 1Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Hee Joo Lee, E-mail: leehejo@khmc.or.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2016;19(1):20-23. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2016.19.1.20Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract In the RNA-based study, it is important to extract high-quality RNA. However, RNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis is problematic due to its thick, waxy cell wall rich in mycolic acid, which renders the cells resistant to lysis. Using TRIzol reagent and several powerful bead-beating steps, a high quantity of RNA was obtained. (Ann Clin Microbiol 2016; 19:20-23) Keywords Mycobacterium tuberculosis, RNA extraction, Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Original article PDF Jiyoung Chang1, Jin Kyung Yu1, Changeun Song1, In Yang Park2, Yeon-Joon Park1 Departments of 1Laboratory Medicine, 2Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Yeon-Joon Park, E-mail: yjpk@catholic.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2016;19(1):13-19. https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2016.19.1.13Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: While 7.6% of cultured genital Mycoplasmataceae was identified as Ureaplasma urealyticum, most of them were Ureaplasma parvum (80.3%). This is the first study differentiating between these two species. We investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of genital Mycoplasmataceae in Korean women. Methods: A total of 150 specimens submitted to the laboratory for culture of M. hominis and Ureaplasma spp. were included. Detection and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed with the Mycoplasma IST2 kit (bioMérieux, France). The identification of Ureaplasma spp. was performed by PCR, and mutations in drug resistance genes were investigated by PCR and sequencing. Results: In total,