Original article PDF Jeong Man Kim, Seok Hoon Jeong******, Sang Hee Lee****, Ji Hye Kim**, Bit Na Kim*, and Jong Chul Kim*** Department of Clinical Pathology, Dong-A University College of Medicine; Departments of Clinical Pathology*, Internal Medicine**, and Urology***, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan; Department of Genetic Engineering****, Youngdong University, Chungbuk; Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance*****, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Seok Hoon Jeong, E-mail: kscpjsh@ns.kosinmed.or.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2002;5(1):6-14.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Among Gram-negative pathogens in Korea, the incidence of resistance to thirdgeneration cephalosporins is becoming an ever-increasing problem. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of third-generation cephalosporins-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients in a tertiary care hospital in Busan, Korea, and to characterize the mechanism of resistance. Methods: A total of 710 E. coli and 237 K. pneumoniae non-duplicate isolates were collected from patients in Kosin Medical Center in 1999. Antimicrobial

Case report PDF Seungok Lee, Jung-Joon Park, Eun-Jee Oh, Yeon-Joon Park, and Byung Kee Kim Department of Clinical Pathology, Kangnam St. Marys Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Yeon-Joon Park, E-mail: yjpk@cmc.cuk.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2002;5(1):59-61.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in adults and an important agent in other infections, including meningitis, otitis media, and conjunctivitis, etc. The optochin susceptibility test is the most widely used method to discriminate S. pneumoniae from other streptococci. However, 0.8-1.5% of S. pneumoniae contain optochin resistant population. Recently, we experienced three cases of variants of S. pneumoniae with decreased susceptibility to optochin. Equivocal optochin disk test should be confirmed by bile solubility, agglutination test, or DNA probe test. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2002;5(1):59-61) Keywords Optochin, Decreased susceptibility, Streptococcus pneumoniae

Original article PDF Won keun Song, Chang Hee Oh*, Seung Joo Kim**, Tae Jae Lee, Min-Jeong Park, Dong Hoon Shin, Sung Ha Kang, and Kyu Man Lee Departments of Clinical Pathology, Pediatrics*, and Infection Control Office**, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Won keun Song, E-mail: swonkeun@hallym.or.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2002;5(1):21-25.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Six babies infected with Staphylococcus aureus occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a period of 2 months, which was successfully controlled with the aid of molecular typing of the isolates. Methods: We examined the staphylococcal toxins, mecA and tst gene PCR, and repetitive-element PCR (rep-PCR) typing in S. aureus isolated from the clinical specimens of infected babies, nasal swabs of the patients and medical personnels in a NICU, and environmental equipments. Results: Among all S. aureus isolates tested, they were toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1)producing methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) who have mecA and tst gene, and one identical repPCR pattern

Case report PDF Yun Hee Kim, Mi Ae Lee and Ki Sook Hong Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Ki Sook Hong, E-mail: kshong@ewha.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(2):168-171.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract A particular strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hansen CBS 5926 (syn. S. boulardii), is commonly used as biotherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic associated diarrhea. Recently, cases of fungemia with S. cerevisiae have increased especially in immunosuppressed or critically ill patients treated with S. boulardii. And S. boulardii administered can simply pass into stool and be isolated as S. cerevisiae. In cases of S. cerevisiae isolated from clinical specimens, it should be required to confirm the relatedness with administration of biotherapeutic agent composed of S. boulardii. A 61-year-old woman who had persistent urinary tract infection by C. tropicalis, developed absolute neutopenia, fever and watery diarrhea and treated with Bioflor composed of S. boulardii, amikacin, ceftriaxone, metronidazole and fluconazole during 3rd chemotherapy against

Original article PDF Seong Geun Hong1, Sunjoo Kim2, Seok Hoon Jeong3, Chulhun L. Chang4, Sung Ran Cho5, Ji Young Ahn5, Jong Hee Shin6, Hye Soo Lee7, Won Keun Song8, Young Uh9, Jong Hwa Yum10, Dongeun Yong10, Kyungwon Lee10, Yunsop Chong10 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Coll. of Med., Pochon CHA Univ.1, Gyeongsang Nat. Univ. School of Med.2, Coll. of Med. Kosin Univ.3, Pusan Nat. Univ. Coll. of Med.4, Sooncheonhyang Univ. Coll. of Med.5, Chonnam Nat. Univ. Med. School6, Chonbuk Univ. Med. School7, Hanllym Univ. Coll. of Med.8, Yonsei Univ. Wonju Coll. of Med.9, Yonsei Univ. Coll. of Med.10 Corresponding to Kyungwon Lee, E-mail: leekcp@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(2):149-155.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background：Increase in extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have been reported in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the nationwide prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and to investigate the types of ESBLs. Methods：A total of 2,221 E. coli and

Original article PDF Jongyoun Yi1, Jae-Kyoo Lee2, Eun-Joung Lee2 and Eui-Chong Kim1, 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine1, Seoul National University College of Medicine;Clinical Research Institute2, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Eui-Chong Kim, E-mail: euichong@snu.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(2):109-113.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background : Amoxicillin/clavulanate (A/C) is a combination of a broad spectrum β-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin and the potent β-lactamase inhibitor clavulanate. A/C 7:1 combination is known to be equal in its clinical efficacy and to have less gastrointestinal adverse effects compared to conventional A/C 4:1 combination. We estimated in vitro antimicrobial activities of the 7:1 combination (AMOCLA Duo) and the conventional 4:1 combination against clinical bacterial isolates known to be the major causes of acute otitis media or sinusitis. Methods : Total 183 strains isolated from clinical specimens of patients at Seoul National University Hospital were tested for minimal inhibitory concentraion (MIC). Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were tested by

Original article PDF Jongyoun Yi, Jae-Kyu Lee, Eui-Chong kim Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Eui-Chong kim, E-mail: euichong@plaza.snu.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(1):37-40.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Cefroxadine is an oral first-generation cephalosporin, which has been used for several years. But, the susceptibility data of cefroxadine were rarely reported in Korea. The current study attempted to determine the antibacterial activity of cefroxadine against the major clinical isolates. Methods: According to the NCCLS recommendations, antibacterial activities of cefroxadine were measured against total 500 major clinical isolates. MICs were determined by the agar dilution method, a series of doubling dilutions from 128 to 0.03μg /mL, on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus spp. In case of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, broth microdilution method, a series of doubling dilutions from 16 to 0.015μg /mL, was performed. Results: Cefroxadine

Original article PDF Seong Geun Hong1, Dongeun Yong2, Kyungwon Lee2, Eui-Chong Kim3, Wee Kyo Lee4, Seok Hoon Jeong5, Won Keun Song6, Yeon Jun Park7, Mi-Na Kim8, Young Uh9, Jong Hee Shin10, Jongwook Lee11, Ji Young Ahn12, Sun Wha Lee13, Jae Seok Kim5, Hee Bong Shin1 Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Coll. of Med., Pochon CHA Univ.1, Yonsei Univ. Coll. of Med.2 Seoul Nat. Univ. Coll. of Med.3, Ajou Univ. of Med.4, Coll. of Med. Kosin Univ.5, Hanllym Univ. Coll. of Med.6 The Catholic Univ. of Kor.7, Univ. of Ulsan Med. Coll. and Asan Med. Center8, Yonsei Univ. Wonju Coll. of Med.9 Chonnam Nat. Univ. Med. School10, Keonyang Univ. Med. Coll.11 Sooncheonhyang Univ. Coll. of Med.12; Neodin Med. Res. Center13 Corresponding to Kyungwon Lee, E-mail: leekcp@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(1):29-36.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: A rapid increase of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has become a serious problem in many countries. The aim of this

Original article PDF Wee Gyo Lee, Young Sun Kim, Ji Young Huh Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea Corresponding to Wee Gyo Lee, E-mail: weegyo@ajou.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(1):18-22.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background:Nosocomial infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are increasing problem in Korea. Until now, no nationwide study has been performed. The aim of the present study was to monitor the antimicrobial resistance of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF). Methods: Two hundred and two E. faecium isolated in 10 teaching hospital were studied. To detect VRE, the brain heart infusion agar containing 6 μg /mL vancomycin was used as the screening agar. The MIC was determined using agar dilution test. The vancomycin resistance genes (vanA, vanB & vanD)and genes (aac(6’)Ie-aph(2”) Ia & ant(6’) Ia encoding the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes were detected by multiplex PCR using specific primers.  Results:Thirty-nine VREF were detected from 202 isolates. All had vancomycin MICs

Original article PDF Jongyoun Yi, Byoung-Wook Song, Jae-Kyu Lee, Kyu-Sub Han, Myoung-Hee Park, and Eui-Chong Kim Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Corresponding to Eui-Chong Kim, E-mail: euichong@plaza.snu.ac.kr Ann Clin Microbiol 2003;6(1):12-17.Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology. Abstract Background: Streptococcus viridans group (SVG) is the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, skin and genitourinary tract, and is the major causative agent isolated in 30-40% of bacterial endocarditis patients. However, SVG has not been properly identified to the species level for lack of diagnostic system which enables the accurate identification of SVG. Poyart et al. have recently described the identification of SVG to the species level by DNA sequencing of superoxide dismutase gene (sodAint ). Using this method, we report here the identification of SVG isolated from the patients in Seoul National University Hospital within recent 2 years. Methods: According to the method by