Fitness costs of Tn1546-type transposons harboring the vanA operon by plasmid type and structural diversity in Enterococcus faecium.

Background: This study analyzed the genetic traits and fitness costs of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) blood isolates carrying Tn1546-type transposons harboring the vanA operon.

Methods: All E. faecium blood isolates were collected from eight general hospitals in South Korea during one-year study period.

The Discordance between G-Banding Karyotyping and Microarray in Structural Abnormality.

Background: Cytomolecular genetic laboratory techniques have developed from conventional G-banding karyotyping to whole genome sequencing. Although resolution has greatly increased, various cytogenetic techniques have their advantages and limitations in detecting genomic variations.

Methods: We compared the chromosomal abnormalities detected by G-banding karyotyping and SNP-based microarray testing in 62 patients from July 2020 to December 2022.

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria infection in an immunocompetent host: A case report.

Rationale: Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are rare and occur primarily in immunocompromised hosts. Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), including M abscessus subsp. massiliense (hereafter M massiliense) is a complex of rapidly growing mycobacterial (RGM) species of NTM.

Performance of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (VITEK MS) in the Identification of Species.

is a major pathogen causing foodborne infections in humans. Salmonella isolates are identified using biochemical and serological tests, including automated systems such as the VITEK2 system. However, there are few reports on identification using VITEK MS.

Nationwide Surveillance of Antifungal Resistance of Bloodstream Isolates in South Korean Hospitals: Two Year Report from Kor-GLASS.

We incorporated nationwide Candida antifungal surveillance into the Korea Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (Kor-GLASS) for bacterial pathogens. We prospectively collected and analyzed complete non-duplicate blood isolates and information from nine sentinel hospitals during 2020−2021, based on GLASS early implementation protocol for the inclusion of Candida species. Candida species ranked fourth among 10,758 target blood pathogens and second among 4050 hospital-origin blood pathogens.

Emergence of NDM-1-producing Sequence Type 773 Clone: Shift of Carbapenemase Molecular Epidemiology and Spread of 16S rRNA Methylase Genes in Korea.

Imipenemase (IMP)-6-producing sequence type (ST) 235 is a dominant clone of carbapenemase-producing (CPPAE) in Korea. As part of the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in Korea, we found an increase in the carbapenem resistance rate of isolates from blood cultures and a shift in the molecular epidemiology of CPPAE. A total of 212 non-duplicated blood isolates were obtained from nine general hospitals and two nursing homes.

Characteristics of Escherichia coli Urine Isolates and Risk Factors for Secondary Bloodstream Infections in Patients with Urinary Tract Infections.

Escherichia coli is responsible for more than 80% of all incidences of urinary tract infections (UTIs). We assessed a total of 636 cases of patients with E. coli UTIs occurring in June 2019 in eight tertiary hospitals in South Korea for the traits of patients with E.

Major Bloodstream Infection-Causing Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance in South Korea, 2017-2019: Phase I Report From Kor-GLASS.

To monitor national antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Korea Global AMR Surveillance System (Kor-GLASS) was established. This study analyzed bloodstream infection (BSI) cases from Kor-GLASS phase I from January 2017 to December 2019. Nine non-duplicated Kor-GLASS target pathogens, including , , , , , , , spp.

A novel likely pathogenic PLCG2 variant in a patient with a recurrent skin blistering disease and B-cell lymphopenia.

Pathogenic variants of PLCG2 encoding phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCγ2) were first reported in 2012 and their clinical manifestations vary widely. PLCG2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (PLAID) and autoinflammation and PLCγ2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (APLAID) are representative examples of PLCG2 pathogenic variants. In this report, we describe a 17-year-old male with recurrent blistering skin lesions, B-cell lymphopenia, and asthma.

Dynamics and Predictors of Mortality Due to Candidemia Caused by Different Species: Comparison of Intensive Care Unit-Associated Candidemia (ICUAC) and Non-ICUAC.

We investigated mortality and predictors of mortality due to intensive care unit-associated candidemia (ICUAC) versus non-ICUAC by species. This study included all candidemia cases in 11 hospitals from 2017 to 2018 in South Korea. The all-cause mortality rates in all 370 patients with ICUAC were approximately twofold higher than those in all 437 patients with non-ICUAC at 7 days (2.

A rapid quantitative on-site coronavirus disease 19 serological test.

On-site severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) serological assays allow for timely in-field decisions to be made regarding patient status, also enabling population-wide screening to assist in controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here we propose a rapid microfluidic serological assay with two unique functions of nanointerstice filling and digitized flow control, which enable the fast/robust filling of the sample fluid as well as precise regulation of duration and volume of immune reaction. Developed microfluidic assay showed enhanced limit of detection, and 91.

Risk Factors for Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing in Community-Onset Bloodstream Infection: Impact on Long-Term Care Hospitals in Korea.

Background: The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL-EC) in the community has increased worldwide due to multifactorial reasons. ESBL-EC bloodstream infection (BSI) complicates the decision for proper antimicrobial administration. In this multicenter study, we investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and molecular background of community-onset (CO) ESBL-EC BSI.

Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA)-Enhanced Specificity of a Dual-Target Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) Assay for the Detection and Differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 from Related Viruses.

The threat posed by coronaviruses to human health has necessitated the development of a highly specific and sensitive viral detection method that could differentiate between the currently circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs). In this study, we developed a peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay targeting the N gene to efficiently discriminate SARS-CoV-2 from other SARSr-CoVs in human clinical samples. Without compromising the sensitivity, this method significantly enhanced the specificity of SARS-CoV-2 detection by 100-fold as compared to conventional RT-qPCR.

Environmental surface testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during prolonged isolation of an asymptomatic carrier.

Environmental surface testing was performed to search for evidence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination by an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carrier with persistently high viral loads under isolation. No evidence of environmental contamination was found. Further studies are needed to measure environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 carriers and to determine reasonable isolation periods.

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis Diagnosed Based on a Peripheral Blood Smear Test in South Korea: a Case Report.

We report a case of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) in a 76-year-old woman, diagnosed rapidly based on the characteristic peripheral blood smear finding of intragranulocytic morulae. The smear was prepared on the day of hospitalization, which was 1-2 weeks before results of the serology test or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) became available. Owing to the blood smear test, we could start timely and appropriate antimicrobial treatment.

Impact of -Positive Enterococcus faecium Exhibiting Diverse Susceptibility Phenotypes to Glycopeptides on 30-Day Mortality of Patients with a Bloodstream Infection.

This study was performed to evaluate the impacts of positivity of exhibiting diverse susceptibility phenotypes to glycopeptides on clinical outcomes in patients with a bloodstream infection (BSI) through a prospective, multicenter, observational study. A total of 509 patients with BSI from eight sentinel hospitals in South Korea during a 2-year period were enrolled in this study. Risk factors of the hosts and causative isolates were assessed to determine associations with the 30-day mortality of BSI patients via multivariable logistic regression analyses.