Original article PDF Da-Woon Kim, Jong Hee Shin, Seung Jung Kee, Soo-Hyun Kim, Myung Geun Shin, Soon Pal Suh, Dong Wook Ryang Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea Corresponding to Jong Hee Shin, E-mail: shinjh@chonnam.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(3):122-128.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: VITEK-2 yeast susceptibility test (AST- YS01; bioMerieux, Hazelwood, MO, USA) has recently been introduced as a fully automated commercial antifungal susceptibility test system that determines MIC (minimum inhibitory concentrations) endpoints spectrophotometrically, thereby eliminating subjective errors. We compared the VITEK-2 system with the CLSI (the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) M27 method for susceptibility testing of Candida isolates from Korea. Methods: A total of 175 Candida bloodstream isolates were collected from two hospitals during a 18-month period. We compared the MIC results for amphotericin B, fluconazole and voriconazole obtained with the VITEK-2 system to those obtained by the CLSI M27 broth microdilution method

Case report PDF Chang-Jin Moon, Jong-Hee Shin, Eun-Sun Jeong, Seung-Jung Kee, Soo-Hyun Kim, Myung-Geun Shin, Soon-Pal Suh, Dong-Wook Ryang Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea Corresponding to Jong-Hee Shin, E-mail: shinjh@chonnam.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(2):97-101.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract We describe here a case of central venous catheter (CVC)-related bacteremia caused by Microbacterium species in a 14-year-old patient, who had received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All nine blood cultures obtained from admission day 2 to day 62 yielded the same yellow-pigmented coryneform rod. Both Vitek 2 (bioMerieux, USA) and MicroScan (Dade Behring, USA) identified the isolate as Micrococcus species, and the API Coryne (bioMerieux, France) identified the isolate as Rhodococcus or Brevibacterium species. However, the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a 99% identity with Microbacterium species. The bacteremia was recurrent or persistent over 60 days despite alternate systemic antibiotic therapy, but blood culture became negative after an addition of

Case report PDF Ja Young Lee1, Si Hyun Kim1, Haeng Soon Jeong1, Seung Hwan Oh1, Hye Ran Kim1, Young Il Yang2,4, Yang Haeng Lee3, Jeong Nyeo Lee1,4, Jeong Hwan Shin1,4 Departments of 1Laboratory Medicine, 2Pathology, 3Thoracic Surgery, 4Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea Corresponding to Jeong Hwan Shin, E-mail: jhsmile@inje.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(2):82-86.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a facultatively anaerobic gram-negative coccobacillus or bacillus that grows with no dependence on X factor and variable requirement for V factor. The organism is normal flora in the human oral cavity and upper respiratory tract and, rarely, causes invasive infections such as bacteremia, endocarditis, brain abscess, or osteomyelitis. We report a case of septic peripheral embolism in left leg from A. aphrophilus endocarditis. A 49-year-old man with known hypertension presented with acute muscle pain in the left leg. On physical examination, a regular heartbeat with a pansystolic

Original article PDF Young-Sook Cho1, Young-Hoon Kim1, Kyung-Hee Lee1, Hye-Sun Jang1, Kyung-Ah Hwang1, Yoo-Li Kim2, Hyun-Young Chi1 1Samkwang Medical Laboratories, 2Biosewoom Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Hyun-Young Chi, E-mail: chumgang@smlab.co.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(2):72-77.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA quantification is necessary for predicting the therapeutic response and assessing treatment results in patients with chronic HCV infection. Recently, real-time PCR technology for HCV RNA quantification displayed good linearity within the dynamic range. Thus, it is gradually replacing branched-DNA (bDNA) and PCR- hybridization assays. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Real-QTM HCV quantification kit (biosewoom. Inc., Seoul, Korea) developed in Korea. Methods: We evaluated the HCV quantification kit for detection limit, specificity, linearity, accuracy, and recovery rate of HCV RNA standard material. The results were analyzed for a correlation with those of Cobas Amplicor HCV Monitor 2.0. Results:

Original article PDF Hyeong-Kee Yun1, Soo-Hyun Kim1, Duck Cho1, Seung-Jung Kee1, Myung-Geun Shin1, Jong-Hee Shin1,2, Soon-Pal Suh1, Dong-Wook Ryang1 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and 2Clinical Trial Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea Corresponding to Soo-Hyun Kim, E-mail: alpinboy@hanmail.net Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(2):67-71.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: The universal sample processing (USP) method has recently been introduced as a simple technique that is applicable to smear microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobaterium tuberculosis (MTB). The present study evaluated the utility of the USP method for detecting MTB by culture and PCR, and the results were compared with that of the N-acetyl L-cysteine (NALC)-NaOH (6%) method. Methods: All sputum specimens were digested and decontaminated by both the USP and NALC-NaOH methods, and the processed samples were inoculated for MTB culture and PCR. Culture was performed (252 samples) by using

Original article PDF Yong-Kyun Kim1, Jae-Seok Kim1,3, Hyoung-Sun Lee2, Hyun-Sook Koo3, Han-Sung Kim1, Wonkeun Song1, Ji Young Park1, Hae-Ran Lee4, Hyoun Chan Cho1, Kyu Man Lee1 Departments of 1Laboratory Medicine and 4Pediatrics, Hallym University College of Medicine, Departments of 2Laboratory Medicine and 3Infection Control Unit, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Jae-Seok Kim, E-mail: jaeseok@hallym.or.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2009;12(1):43-47.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Doctors’ white coats and neckties can become contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria and have a possibility of causing cross infections. Our objective was to determine the level of bacterial contamination and detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile present on the white coats and neckties of residents.  Methods: We sampled 28 long-sleeved white coats and 14 neckties worn by residents. The tested sites for white coats were the cuffs and lower front surfaces, and for neckties, the lower surfaces. Impressions of these sites were taken

Case report PDF Yong Hyun Kim1, Eun-Mi Koh2, Yong-Wha Lee1, You Kyoung Lee1, Hee Bong Shin1, Kyungwon Lee2 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, 2Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Hee Bong Shin, E-mail: shinhb@schmc.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2011;14(3):115-117. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2011.14.3.115Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Brevundimonas diminuta is a lactose non-fermenting Gram-negative rod associated with infection in immunocompromised patients. In three patients from two general wards, B. diminuta was isolated in blood culture sample. The clinical features of the patients did not coincide with the blood culture result, and pseudo-outbreak was suspected. These isolated were biochemically identified as Brevundimonas diminuta, and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed their identification. The PFGE result showed a single pattern, and their clonality was assumed. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2011;14:115-117) Keywords Brevundimonas diminuta, Pseudo-outbreak, Pulsed-field

Case report PDF Woo Ri Jang1, Chung Hyun Nahm1, Yeon Sook Moon1, Young Soo Je1, Dongeun Yong2, Jin Ju Kim1 Departments of Laboratory Medicine, 1Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 2Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Jin Ju Kim, E-mail: jkimmd@inha.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2012;15(2):74-77. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2012.15.2.74Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative anaerobic bacterium. A. succiniciproducens is a rare cause of bacteremia in human, especially immunocompromised patients. This organism may be mistakenly identified when using an automated bacterial identification system, and may be mistaken for Campylobacter spp. when using Gram staining. We report a case of bacteremia caused by A. succiniciproducens, which was negative for catalase, oxidase, and urease and confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing (analysis revealed a 99% similarity), in a 69-year-old patient who was undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of a malignancy. To the best of our knowledge, this

Original article PDF Hyejin Lee1, Chang Kyu Lee1, Myung-Hyun Nam1, Kyoung Ho Roh1, Soo-Young Yoon1, Chae Seung Lim1, Yunjung Cho1, Young Kee Kim1, Kap No Lee1, Young Yoo2 Departments of 1Laboratory Medicine, and 2Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Chang Kyu Lee, E-mail: cklee@korea.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2012;15(2):54-59. https://doi.org/10.5145/KJCM.2012.15.2.54Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections. Epidemiological information on PIV infection could be very helpful for patient management. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of PIV infection in Seoul and a neighboring area with regard to PIV type. Methods: The diagnosis of PIV infection was made by virus isolation. The R-mix Too cell system (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc., Athens, OH, USA) and D3 Ultra DFA Respiratory Virus Screening & ID kits (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.) were used for virus culture and identification.