Antimicrobial Resistance and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolated from the Chungcheong Area / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: Enterococcus faecium has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide, and this trend has been associated with the dissemination of a genetic lineage designated clonal complex 17 (CC17). In the present study, characterization of the glycopeptide resistance mechanism, genetic relatedness, and pathogenicity in isolates of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium in the Chungcheong area were investigated. METHODS: A total of 37 consecutive, non-duplicate, vancomycin-resistant E. faecium were isolated at three university hospitals in the Chungcheong area. The mechanism of glycopeptide resistance and pathogenicity factors were studied using PCR, and the genetic relatedness was determined via multilocus sequence type and esp repeat profile analysis. Additionally, the quinolone resistance-determining regions of parC and gyrA were sequenced to identify mutations involved in ciprofloxacin resistance. RESULTS: Two genotypes of VRE were confirmed: VanA-phenotype vanA genotype VRE (25 isolates) and VanB-phenotype vanA genotype VRE (12 isolates). MLST analysis revealed five sequence types. A significant result was that ST414 and CNS4 (4-1-1-1-1-1-1) were considered as belonging to CC17. The esp and hyl genes were found in 100% and 86.4% of the isolates, respectively. A total of 37 isolates showed genetic mutations in parC and gyrA. CONCLUSION: All isolated strains in the present study belonged to one of the CC17 genotypes including ST414 and CNS4 (4-1-1-1-1-1-1), which were not previously detected in Korea. The combination of MLST and the esp gene repeat profiles can be useful for genetic characterization of VREF isolates with regard to the evolutionary process and epidemiology of the clones.

Ultrasonographic study of gallbladder wall thickness in acute viral hepatitis

Prospective study of gallbladder wall thickness by utrasonography was performed in 38 patients of acute viral hepatitis and 50 normal subjects as a control group from June 1983 to April 1984. The results were as follows; 1.In normal population, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 1mm to 3mm with peak incidence in 2mm(66%,33 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 1.9±0.6mm. 2. In acute viral hepatitis, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 2mm to 8mm with peak incidence in 3mm(34%, 13 case), second peak in 4mm (29%,11 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 3.6±1.6mm, which is thicker than normal with statistical signifiance. (p<0.005) 3, In acute viral hepatitis , the mean thickness of glabladder wall is about 4.4±1.8mm in the group of SGOT/ SGPT level above 400 IU, and 2.8±0.8mm in the group of SGOT/SGPT level below 400 IU. This difference is significant statistically. (p<0.05).

A study on reliability of the abdominal plain film diagnosis in pediatric patients with suspected intussusception

1. The plain abdominal films of 246 cases of intussusception preceding hydrostatic barium enema were analysedin order to reassess the diagnostic reliability of the abdominal plain film examination. Then, these were comparedwith 42 cases in which the diagnosis had been rejected by means of barium enema. 2. It was found that diagnosis ofthe intussusception was possible in 80% of 246 cases on the basis of plain film findings alone. 3. The most commonand reliable findings of intussusception in plain film diagnosis are those of sparse faecoloid bowel content andsparse amount of intestinal gas. 4. The loops of distended small bowel in cecal or ascending colon area andintraabdominal soft tissue mass are considered to be relatively reliable findings. 5. In 42 cases in which thediagnosis had been rejected by means of barium enema, intussusception was excluded in 745 of the cases on thebasis of plain film findings alone.