Risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure in heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

The incidence of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) infection is increasing and is associated with vancomycin treatment failures. However, studies investigating the risk factors for treatment failure in hVISA infection are limited. Patients with hVISA bacteremia treated with vancomycin over 7 days between August 2008 and June 2020 were enrolled in this study. Clinical and microbiological characteristics were compared between vancomycin treatment failure and success groups to identify the risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure. Among the 180 patients with hVISA bacteremia, 102 patients treated with vancomycin over 7 days were included. Vancomycin treatment failed in 80 (78%) patients. Patients in the vancomycin treatment failure group were older (P < 0.001) and more frequently had solid cancer (P = 0.04) than those in the vancomycin treatment success group. Solid organ transplantation (SOT) was more frequent (P < 0.001) in the vancomycin treatment success group. The Charlson comorbidity index (P = 0.01) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (P < 0.001) were higher in the vancomycin treatment failure group. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure were old age and severity of bacteremia. SOT and vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 1.0 mg/L using the broth microdilution (BMD) method were associated with successful vancomycin treatment. Old age and infection severity were independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure. Vancomycin MIC using the BMD method is an important risk factor for vancomycin treatment failure, and its use should be considered in hVISA bacteremia.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we assessed the clinical and microbiological characteristics of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediated Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) bacteremia and identified risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure. We found that advanced age and severity of infection were independent risk factors for vancomycin treatment failure. On the other hand, solid organ transplantation and a low vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration were associated with successful vancomycin treatment. This study highlights the importance of vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration in hVISA bacteremia.

Inhibitory effect of fucoidan on TNF-α-induced inflammation in human retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) is a brown seaweed that contains a fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharide called fucoidan and is known to possess beneficial bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidative, and antitumoral effects. This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of AB_SH (hydrothermal extracts from S. horneri) and its bioactive compound (fucoidan) against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced inflammation in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. AB_SH did not exhibit any cytotoxicity, and it decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and the production of the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. It also suppressed the expression levels of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK), p38 protein kinases (p38), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) proteins, suggesting that AB_SH inhibits activation of the NF-kB/MAPK signaling pathway. Since fucoidan was identified in the composition analysis of AB_SH, it was additionally shown to be required for its anti-inflammatory effects in TNF-α-stimulated human RPE cells. In line with the AB_SH results, fucoidan reduced the mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-8 and production of the cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 through the downregulation of the NF-kB/MAPK signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, the ability of AB_SH from S. horneri hydrothermal extracts to reduce inflammation indicates that it may be a good functional ingredient for managing ocular disorders.

Factors Affecting Emergency Medical Utilization After Self-harm and Effectiveness of Community-Based Suicide Prevention Provisions in Preventing Self-harm: A Nationwide Registry-Based Study in Korea.

In order to formulate and implement a community-based suicide prevention program, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, it is necessary to understand the epidemiological characteristics of self-harm. Clinical data were collected from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) data panel in Korea for patients seen after self-harm episodes. Socioeconomic factors were collected from Statistics Korea. Variables representing SP provisions (SPPs) were collected from the Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Increasing the number of mental health providers resulted in lower annual emergency department visit rate after self-harm (VRSH) in the entire population, as well as in both the young and elderly populations. An increase in the mental health budget led to a significant reduction in VRSHs. However, the number of suicide prevention centers did not have any significant association with the VRSH. This study also provides substantial evidence that community-based SPPs are effective in preventing self-harm.

Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus and Measles among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Medical Center in Korea.

Measles and varicella still occur in the general population despite the widespread vaccination against them, and healthcare workers (HCWs) are still at risk of exposure to these diseases. Here, we evaluated the seroprevalence of measles and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in HCWs and the trend of seroprevalence according to age, birth year, and occupational group. The serostatuses of measles and VZV of HCWs during new employee medical examinations between October 2015 and October 2021 were included. Thereafter, the trends of seroprevalence according to age, birth year, and occupational groups were evaluated. Overall, 2070 and 1827 HCWs were evaluated for VZV and measles serostatus, respectively. The seroprevalences of VZV and measles were 91% (1884/2070) and 70% (1284/1827), respectively. Younger HCWs had a significantly lower seroprevalence of measles (p = 0.02, age) and VZV (p = 0.003, birth year and p < 0.001, age). The seroprevalence of measles and VZV was significantly higher among doctors and nursing assistants than among nurses and other HCWs (p < 0.001 in both). In conclusion, the seroprevalence of measles and VZV significantly decreased in younger HCWs. Additionally, monitoring the serostatus of measles and VZV and the immunization of susceptible HCWs are required to prepare and control infectious diseases in healthcare facilities.

Metatranscriptomic and metataxonomic insights into the ultra-small microbiome of the Korean fermented vegetable, kimchi.

Presently, pertinent information on the ultra-small microbiome (USM) in fermented vegetables is still lacking. This study analyzed the metatranscriptome and metataxonome for the USM of kimchi. Tangential flow filtration was used to obtain a USM with a size of 0.2 µm or less from kimchi. The microbial diversity in the USM was compared with that of the normal microbiome (NM). Alpha diversity was higher in the USM than in NM, and the diversity of bacterial members of the NM was higher than that of the USM. At the phylum level, both USM and NM were dominated by Firmicutes. At the genus level, the USM and NM were dominated by Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Weissella, belonging to lactic acid bacteria. However, as alpha diversity is higher in the USM than in the NM, the genus Akkermansia, belonging to the phylum Verrucomicrobia, was detected only in the USM. Compared to the NM, the USM showed a relatively higher ratio of transcripts related to "protein metabolism," and the USM was suspected to be involved with the viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) state. When comparing the sub-transcripts related to the "cell wall and capsule" of USM and NM, USM showed a proportion of transcripts suspected of being VBNC. In addition, the RNA virome was also identified, and both the USM and NM were confirmed to be dominated by pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV). Additionally, the correlation between metataxonome and metatranscriptome identified USM and NM was estimated, however, only limited correlations between metataxonome and metatranscriptome were estimated. This study provided insights into the relationship between the potential metabolic activities of the USM of kimchi and the NM.

Host phylogeny, habitat, and diet are main drivers of the cephalopod and mollusk gut microbiome.

BACKGROUND: Invertebrates are a very attractive subject for studying host-microbe interactions because of their simple gut microbial community and host diversity. Studying the composition of invertebrate gut microbiota and the determining factors is essential for understanding their symbiotic mechanism. Cephalopods are invertebrates that have similar biological properties to vertebrates such as closed circulation system, an advanced nervous system, and a well-differentiated digestive system. However, it is not currently known whether their microbiomes have more in common with vertebrates or invertebrates. This study reports on the microbial composition of six cephalopod species and compares them with other mollusk and marine fish microbiomes to investigate the factors that shape the gut microbiota. RESULTS: Each cephalopod gut consisted of a distinct consortium of microbes, with Photobacterium and Mycoplasma identified as core taxa. The gut microbial composition of cephalopod reflected their host phylogeny, the importance of which was supported by a detailed oligotype-level analysis of operational taxonomic units assigned to Photobacterium and Mycoplasma. Photobacterium typically inhabited multiple hosts, whereas Mycoplasma tended to show host-specific colonization. Furthermore, we showed that class Cephalopoda has a distinct gut microbial community from those of other mollusk groups or marine fish. We also showed that the gut microbiota of phylum Mollusca was determined by host phylogeny, habitat, and diet. CONCLUSION: We have provided the first comparative analysis of cephalopod and mollusk gut microbial communities. The gut microbial community of cephalopods is composed of distinctive microbes and is strongly associated with their phylogeny. The Photobacterium and Mycoplasma genera are core taxa within the cephalopod gut microbiota. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that cephalopod and mollusk gut microbiomes reflect host phylogeny, habitat, and diet. It is hoped that these data can contribute to future studies on invertebrate-microbe interactions.

Correlation between antibiotic consumption and the incidence of healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection: a retrospective chart review and analysis.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare facility-onset Clostridioides difficile infection is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The use of antibiotics is an important risk factor for healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection. We evaluated the correlation between the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection and antibiotic consumption, according to antibiotic class. METHODS: Patients with healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection from January 2017 to December 2018 at Konkuk University Medical Center (a tertiary medical center) were included. We evaluated changes in the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection and antibiotic consumption. The correlation between the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection and antibiotic consumption was evaluated two ways: without a time interval and with 1-month interval matching. RESULTS: A total of 446 episodes of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection occurred during the study period. The incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection was 9.3 episodes per 10,000 patient-days, and increased significantly. We observed an increase in the consumption of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors, and a decrease in the consumption of other classes of antibiotics, with a significant decrease in the consumption of fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, and clindamycin (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). The consumption of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors was independently correlated with the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection in the analysis without a time interval. When the analysis was conducted with 1-month interval matching, glycopeptide consumption was independently associated with the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the reduction in fluoroquinolone and clindamycin consumption, the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection increased during the study period, and was correlated with increased consumption of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors. Reduced consumption of specific antibiotics may be insufficient to reduce the incidence of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infection.

Host habitat is the major determinant of the gut microbiome of fish.

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of the gut microbiota of animals is largely based on studies of mammals. To better understand the evolutionary basis of symbiotic relationships between animal hosts and indigenous microbes, it is necessary to investigate the gut microbiota of non-mammalian vertebrate species. In particular, fish have the highest species diversity among groups of vertebrates, with approximately 33,000 species. In this study, we comprehensively characterized gut bacterial communities in fish. RESULTS: We analyzed 227 individual fish representing 14 orders, 42 families, 79 genera, and 85 species. The fish gut microbiota was dominated by Proteobacteria (51.7%) and Firmicutes (13.5%), different from the dominant taxa reported in terrestrial vertebrates (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes). The gut microbial community in fish was more strongly shaped by host habitat than by host taxonomy or trophic level. Using a machine learning approach trained on the microbial community composition or predicted functional profiles, we found that the host habitat exhibited the highest classification accuracy. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the gut bacterial community of fish differs significantly from those of other vertebrate classes (reptiles, birds, and mammals). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these data provide a reference for future studies of the gut microbiome of aquatic animals as well as insights into the relationship between fish and their gut bacteria, including the key role of host habitat and the distinct compositions in comparison with those of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Video Abstract.

Risk factors for isolation of multi-drug resistant organisms in coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: Superimposed multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) co-infection can be associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), even if these patients were managed with strict airborne and contact precautions. Identifying risk factors for isolation of MDROs is critical to COVID-19 treatment. METHODS: All eligible adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from 10 hospitals in the Republic of Korea between February 2020 and May 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Using this cohort, epidemiology and risk factors for isolation of MDROs were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 152 patients, 47 with microbial culture results were included. Twenty isolates of MDROs from 13 (28%) patients were cultured. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (5 isolates) was the most common MDRO, followed by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (4 isolates). MDROs were mostly isolated from sputum samples (80%, 16/20). The median time from hospitalization to MDRO isolation was 28 days (interquartile range, 18-38 days). In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with MDRO isolation (62% vs 15%; P = .001). Use of systemic corticosteroids after diagnosis of COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 15.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34-97.01; P = .004) and long-term care facility (LTCF) stay before diagnosis of COVID-19 (aOR: 6.09; 95% CI: 1.02-36.49; P = .048) were associated with MDRO isolation. CONCLUSIONS: MDROs were isolated from 28% of COVID-19 pneumonia patients with culture data and 8.6% of the entire cohort. Previous LTCF stay and adjunctive corticosteroid use were risk factors for the isolation of MDROs. Strict infection prevention strategies may be needed in these COVID-19 patients with risk factors.

Brevilactibacter coleopterorum sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the dark diving beetle Hydrophilus acuminatus, and Weissella coleopterorum sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the diving beetle Cybister lewisianus.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize two novel bacterial strains, designated as HDW11T and HDW19T, isolated from intestine samples of the dark diving beetle Hydrophilus acuminatus and the diving beetle Cybister lewisianus, respectively. Both isolates were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic and non-motile. Strain HDW11T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. Strain HDW19T grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 7 and in the presence of 0.3% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome sequences revealed that strain HDW11T is a member of the genus Brevilactibacter and is closely related to Brevilactibacter flavus VG341T [with 97.9% 16S rRNA sequence identity and 79.1% average nucleotide identity (ANI)], and that strain HDW19T belongs to the genus Weissella and is closely related to W. koreensis KCTC 3621T (with 98.9% 16S rRNA sequence identity and 79.5% ANI). The major cellular fatty acids of strains HDW11T and HDW19T were C18:1 ω9c and anteiso-C15:0, respectively. The sole respiratory quinone of strain HDW11T was MK-9 (H4). The major polar lipid components of strain HDW11T were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, and the major polar lipid component of strain HDW19T was diphosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains HDW11T and HDW19T were 72.1 and 37.2 mol%, respectively. The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses suggest that strain HDW11T represents a novel species within the genus Brevilactibacter, and that strain HDW19T represents a novel species within the genus Weissella. We propose the name Brevilactibacter coleopterorum sp. nov. for strain HDW11T (=KACC 21335T=KCTC 49320T=JCM 33680T) and the name Weissella coleopterorum for strain HDW19T (=KACC 21347T=KCTC 43114T=JCM 33684T).

Leucobacter coleopterorum sp. nov., Leucobacter insecticola sp. nov., and Leucobacter viscericola sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the diving beetles, Cybister brevis and Cybister lewisianus, and emended description of the genus Leucobacter.

Three novel bacterial strains, HDW9AT, HDW9BT, and HDW9CT, isolated from the intestine of the diving beetles Cybister lewisianus and Cybister brevis, were characterized as three novel species using a polyphasic approach. The isolates were Gram-staining-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile, and rod-shaped. They grew optimally at 30°C (pH 7) in the presence of 0.5% (wt/vol) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that they belong to the genus Leucobacter and are closely related to L. denitrificans M1T8B10T (98.4-98.7% sequence similarity). Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values among the isolates were 76.4-84.1%. ANI values for the isolates and the closest taxonomic species, L. denitrificans KACC 14055T, were 72.3-73.1%. The isolates showed ANI values of < 76.5% with all analyzable Leucobacter strains in the EzBioCloud database. The genomic DNA G + C content of the isolates was 60.3-62.5%. The polar lipid components were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and other unidentified glycolipids, phospholipids, and lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, and anteiso-C17:0. MK-10 was the major respiratory quinone, and MK-7 and MK-11 were the minor respiratory quinones. The whole-cell sugar components of the isolates were ribose, glucose, galactose, and mannose. The isolates harbored L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, L-serine, L-lysine, L-aspartic acid, glycine, and D-glutamic acid within the cell wall peptidoglycan. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses, strains HDW9AT, HDW9BT, and HDW9CT represent three novel species within the genus Leucobacter. We propose the name Leucobacter coleopterorum sp. nov. for strain HDW9AT (= KACC 21331T = KCTC 49317T = JCM 33667T), the name Leucobacter insecticola sp. nov. for strain HDW9BT (= KACC 21332T = KCTC 49318T = JCM 33668T), and the name Leucobacter viscericola sp. nov. for strain HDW9CT (= KACC 21333T = KCTC 49319T = JCM 33669T).

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Bloodstream Infection in Patients Under Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is an important complication of extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) and a major cause of mortality. This study evaluated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of BSI that occur during ECMO application according to microbial etiology. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent ECMO from January 2009 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed for BSI episodes at a 2,700-bed, tertiary center. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of BSI were evaluated and were compared for etiologic groups (gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods, and fungi groups). Risk factors for 14-day mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1,100 patients underwent ECMO during the study period, and 65 BSI episodes occurred in 61 patients. The BSI incidence was 8.3 episodes/1,000 ECMO days, which significantly decreased over time (P = 0.03), primarily in gram-positive cocci BSI. Gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods, and fungi accounted for 38%, 40%, and 22% of the 73 blood isolates, respectively. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Catheter-related infection (CRI) and pneumonia were the most common sources of BSI; 52% of gram-positive cocci BSIs and 79% of fungi BSIs were caused by CRI, and 75% of gram-negative BSIs by pneumonia. Patients with gram-negative rods BSI died more frequently and earlier than those with other BSIs. Independent risk factors for 14-day mortality were older age and gram-negative rods BSI. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased BSI incidence during ECMO was mainly because of the decrease of gram-positive cocci BSI. The high early mortality of gram-negative rods BSI makes prevention and adequate treatment necessary.

Tessaracoccus coleopterorum sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the dark diving beetle, Hydrophilus acuminatus.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a novel bacterium, designated as strain HDW20T, isolated from the intestine of the dark diving beetle Hydrophilus acuminatus. The isolate was Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, coccus-shaped, and formed pale orange colonies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genome sequences showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Tessaracoccus in the phylum Actinobacteria and was closely related to T. flavescens SST-39T, T. defluvii JCM 17540T, and T. aquimaris NSG39T, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.5 % and a highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 80.6 %. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω9c and anteiso-C15 : 0. The main respiratory quinone was MK-9 (H4). The major polar lipid components were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.0 %. The isolate contains ʟʟ-diaminopimelic acid, ʟ-alanine, and ʟ-lysine as amino acid components, and ribose, glucose, and galactose as sugar components of the cell wall peptidoglycan. The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses suggested that strain HDW20T represents a novel species within the genus Tessaracoccus. We propose the name Tessaracoccus coleopterorum sp. nov. The type strain is HDW20T (=KACC 21348T=KCTC 49324T=JCM 33674T).

Flaviflexus ciconiae sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of the oriental stork, Ciconia boyciana.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccobacillus-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain H23T48T, was isolated from the faecal sample of an oriental stork collected from the Seoul Grand Park Zoo in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain H23T48T was observed at 30-37 °C, pH 8 and with 3 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain H23T48T was closely related to the genus Flaviflexus, with 97.0 and 96.7 % sequence similarities to Flaviflexus salsibiostraticola EBR4-1-2T and Flaviflexus huanghaiensis H5T, respectively. Strain H23T48T possessed MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinone and C16 : 0 (42.4 %), C18 : 1 ω9c (31.3 %) and C14 : 0 (17.7 %) as the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified lipids, six unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycophospholipids. The amino acid composition of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was l-alanine, l-lysine, d-glutamic acid, l-aspartic acid and glycine. The genomic G+C content of strain H23T48T is 59.5 mol% and the average nucleotide identity value between H23T48T and F. salsibiostraticola KCT C33148T (=EBR4-1-2T) is 75.5 %. Based on the obtained data, strain H23T48T represents a novel species of the genus Flaviflexus, for which the name Flaviflexus ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H23T48T (=KCTC 49253T=JCM 33282T).

Two-Ply Carbon Nanotube Fiber-Typed Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Implanted in Mice.

Implantable devices have emerged as a promising industry. It is inevitable that these devices will require a power source to operate in vivo. Thus, to power implantable medical devices, biofuel cells (BFCs) that generate electricity using glucose without an external power supply have been considered. Although implantable BFCs have been developed for application in vivo, they are limited by their bulky electrodes and low power density. In the present study, we attempted to apply to living mice an implantable enzymatic BFC (EBFC) that was previously reported to be a high-power EBFC comprising carbon nanotube yarn electrodes. To improve their mechanical properties and for convenient implantation, the electrodes were coated with Nafion and twisted into a micro-sized, two-ply, one-body system. When the two-ply EBFC system was implanted in the abdominal cavity of mice, it provided a high-power density of 0.3 mW/cm2. The two-ply EBFC system was injected through a needle using a syringe without surgery and the inflammatory response in vivo initially induced by the injection of the EBFC system was attenuated after 7 days, indicating the biocompatibility of the system in vivo.

Jeotgalibaca ciconiae sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of an Oriental stork.

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain H21T32T, was isolated from the faeces of an Oriental stork, Ciconia boyciana. Cells formed cocci grouped in pairs, tetrads or conglomerates, and colonies on solid medium were pale yellow. Strain H21T32T belonged to the genus Jeotgalibaca, family Carnobacteriaceae, order Lactobacillales and class Bacilli. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strain showed 97.06-97.34, 96.17-96.31 and 95.93-96.07 % similarity to the type strains of Jeotgalibaca arthritidis, J. porci and J. dankookensis, respectively. The strain grew at 10-37 °C (optimum temperature: 30 °C), with 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum salinity: 0.5 %) and at pH 7-9 (optimum pH: 8). The main cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω9c, C18 : 1 ω9c and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Respiratory quinones were not detected. Sugar components of the peptidoglycan were rhamnose, ribose and glucose. Amino acid components of the cell wall were l-alanine, d-glucose, l-lysine, glycine and aspartic acid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 37.1 mol%. Average nucleotide identity between strain H21T32T and J. arthritidis CECT 9157T was 77.02 %, confirming that strain H21T32T represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalibaca, for which the name Jeotgalibaca ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H21T32T (=KCTC 33991T=JCM 33222T).

Tabrizicola piscis sp. nov., isolated from the intestinal tract of a Korean indigenous freshwater fish, Acheilognathus koreensis.

A novel Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated strain K13M18T, was isolated from the intestinal tract of a Korean indigenous fish, oily bitterling (Acheilognathus koreensis). Strain K13M18T formed creamy-pink colonies on a marine agar plate. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain K13M18T was most closely related to Tabrizicola sediminis DRYC-M-16T, sharing 97.62 % similarity with that strain. Strain K13M18T belonged to the genus Tabrizicola, which formed a cluster with Tabrizicola aquatica RCRI19T, Tabrizicola fusiformis SY72T, Tabrizicola sediminis DRYC-M-16T and Tabrizicola alkalilacus DJCT in a phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Strain K13M18T grown optimally in 0 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7 and 30 °C, in a marine broth medium. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c and C18 : 1 ω6c. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. Polar lipids of strain K13M18T contained phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, six unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. Based on genome sequencing, the DNA G+C content of strain K13M18T was 64.08 mol %, with an average nucleotide identity value, calculated by a comparative genomic analysis of strains K13M18T and T. sediminis DRYC-M-16T, of 74.82 %. Based on the phylogenetic, genotypic, and phenotypic information, strain K13M18T is proposed to be a novel species of the genus Tabrizicola. The type strain is K13M18T (=KCTC 62659T=JCM 33230T).

Diagnostic usefulness of differential time to positivity in neutropenic cancer patients with suspected catheter-related candidemia.

Methods for distinguishing catheter-related candidemia (CRC) from non-CRC before catheter removal remain limited. We thus evaluated the diagnostic performance of differential time to positivity (DTP) to diagnose CRC in neutropenic cancer patients with suspected CRC. Of the 35 patients enrolled, 15 (43%) with CRC (six definite and nine probable) and 17 (49%) with non-CRC were finally analyzed. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff value of DTP for diagnosing CRC was ≥1.45 hours with the sensitivity 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51-95) and specificity 100% (95% CI, 80-100), respectively.

Flammeovirga pectinis sp. nov., isolated from the gut of the Korean scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, reddish-orange-coloured, gliding bacterial strain, designated L12M1T, was isolated from the gut of the Korean scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain L12M1T formed a monophyletic clade with the strains in the genus Flammeovirga and showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Flammeovirga kamogawensis YS10T (98.66 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain L12M1T were iso-C15 : 0 and C20 : 4ω6,9,12,15c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major polyamines were spermidine, cadaverine and the minor polyamine was putrescine. The DNA G+C content was 32.1 mol%. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic results indicated that strain L12M1T represents a novel species of the genus Flammeovirga, for which the name Flammeovirga pectinis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L12M1T (=KCTC 62750T=JCM 33169T).

Comparison of chest radiographic findings between severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and scrub typhus: Single center observational cross-sectional study in South Korea.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) which involves multiple organ systems, including lungs. However, there is limited data on lung involvement of SFTS. Therefore, the present study investigated the chest radiographic findings of SFTS, including computed tomography (CT), and compared these with those of scrub typhus, which is the most common tick-borne illness in South Korea and share risk factors and occur in similar settings.Medical records of patients with confirmed SFTS and scrub typhus in a tertiary hospital in Seoul (South Korea), between January 2014 and June 2018, were reviewed. Initial chest radiography and CT were reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists.A total of 39 patients with SFTS and 101 patients with scrub typhus were analyzed. All patients except 3 patients with scrub typhus in both groups received chest radiography. Cardiomegaly (90%) and patchy consolidation with ground glass opacity (GGO) pattern (31%) were more common in SFTS group than scrub typhus group (20%, P < .001 and 2%, P < .001, respectively). About half of each group received chest CT. Consolidation (29%) and pericardial effusion (24%) were more common in SFTS group than scrub typhus group (6%, P = .02 and 4%, P = .008, respectively). Interstitial thickening in chest radiography (58%) and chest CT (65%) was more frequent in scrub typhus group than SFTS group (18%, P < .001 and 19%, P < .001, respectively).Cardiomegaly with/without pericardial effusion and patchy consolidation with GGO pattern were more frequent in SFTS group, whereas interstitial thickening was more frequent in scrub typhus group. These findings will assist the early differentiation of SFTS from scrub typhus.