Hyang-Mi Nam

Screening lactic acid bacteria from swine origins for multistrain probiotics based on in vitro functional properties

Lactic acid bacteria originated from swine feces and intestines were selected for potential probiotics based on their bile-salt resistance, low pH tolerance, potential adhesion to epithelial cells and especially functional properties, including production of antimicrobial substances, bile-salt hydrolase (BSH) and amylolytic activity. Results showed 7 isolates with antimicrobial activity, 5 with BSH activity and 3 with amylolytic activity were preliminarily selected from 485 lactic acid bacteria based on their highest potential with functional properties in vitro. The 15 isolates were further assayed on the essential characteristics as potential probiotics. All isolates were fully tolerant to 0.3% bile salts and 11 of them were able to resist pH 3 for 3 h without loss of viable cells. The eleven isolates were then evaluated on their adhesion capability. Wide variation in the hydrophobic character and specific adhesion efficiency was observed and three isolates G1-1, G22-2 and G8-5, with respective antimicrobial, BSH and amylolytic activities were finally selected. In addition, the three isolates were compatible in the coexistence assay. Isolate G1-1 was identified as Lactobacillus salivarius by API system and a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Both G8-5 and G22-2 showed the closest homology to Lactobacillus reuteri according to their 16S rRNA gene sequences (99%). From the study, the three Lactobacilli strains were shown to share the functional properties necessary for probiotics use in animal additives. Their compatibility with respective in vitro activities was expected to show enhanced in vivo efficacy after combination for multistrain probiotics use.

Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing and Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Stray Dogs in South Korea

ABSTRACT A total of 47 extended-spectrum-cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from stray dogs in 2006 and 2007 in the Republic of Korea were investigated using molecular methods. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase phenotypes were identified in 12 and 23 E. coli isolates, respectively. All 12 ESBL-producing isolates carried blaCTX-M genes. The most common CTX-M types were CTX-M-14 (n = 5) and CTX-M-24 (n = 3). Isolates producing CTX-M-3, CTX-M-55, CTX-M-27, and CTX-M-65 were also identified. Twenty-one of 23 AmpC β-lactamase-producing isolates were found to carry blaCMY-2 genes. TEM-1 was associated with CTX-M and CMY-2 β-lactamases in 4 and 15 isolates, respectively. In addition to blaTEM-1, two isolates carried blaDHA-1, and one of them cocarried blaCMY-2. Both CTX-M and CMY-2 genes were located on large (40 to 170 kb) conjugative plasmids that contained the insertion sequence ISEcp1 upstream of the bla genes. Only in the case of CTX-M genes was there an IS903 sequence downstream of the gene. The spread of ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases occurred via both horizontal gene transfer, accounting for much of the CTX-M gene dissemination, and clonal spread, accounting for CMY-2 gene dissemination. The horizontal dissemination of blaCTX-M and blaCMY-2 genes was mediated by IncF and IncI1-Iγ plasmids, respectively. The clonal spread of blaCMY-2 was driven mainly by E. coli strains of virulent phylogroup D lineage ST648. To our knowledge, this is the first report of blaDHA-1 in E. coli strains isolated from companion animals. This study also represents the first report of CMY-2 β-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates from dogs in the Republic of Korea.

Emergence of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-14)-Producing Nontyphoid Salmonella with Reduced Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin among Food Animals and Humans in Korea

ABSTRACT Twenty of 1,279 nontyphoid Salmonella strains isolated from food animals and humans produced CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase. All expressed CTX-M-15, except two which coexpressed CTX-M-14 and TEM-1. Insertion sequence ISEcp1 was identified upstream of bla CTX-M genes. The bla CTX-M-15 and bla CTX-M-14 genes were disseminated by large conjugative IncFIIs and IncI1-Iγ plasmids, respectively.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria isolated from bovine mastitis between 2003 and 2008 in Korea.

The objective of this study was to assess trends in the prevalence and distribution of gram-negative bacteria isolated from bovine mastitis and their antimicrobial susceptibilities during a 6-yr period between 2003 and 2008 in Korea. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter lwoffi/junii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens were the most commonly observed pathogens during this period. Generally, gram-negative bacteria showed low susceptibilities to most of the antimicrobials tested in this study, except amikacin and gentamicin. Although these 2 aminoglycosides were broadly active against gram-negative bacteria, less than half of those bacteria showed susceptibilities to streptomycin. The beta-lactams, except piperacillin, had the lowest activity among antimicrobials tested in this study. Susceptibilities to chloramphenicol and trimethoprim were fairy high in all genera of gram-negative bacteria, except Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp., whereas relatively high resistance to tetracycline was observed uniformly among gram-negative bacteria. There was no significant change in the prevalence of bacterial and the proportion of antimicrobial resistance among gram-negative bacteria isolates during a 6-yr period.

The first detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in pigs in Korea.

In order to determine the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs in Korea, a total of 657 nasal swabs were collected from pigs on 66 different pig farms nationwide during February 2008-May 2009. The prevalences of MRSA positive samples in pigs and farms were 3.2% (21/657) and 22.7% (15/66), respectively. Two different types were found among the 21 MRSA isolates: 17 strains of livestock-associated type (LA; ST398 or ST541/spa t034) and 4 strains of human-associated type (HA; ST72/spa t664 or t2461). The most prevalent type of MRSA strain was ST398/t034 (12/21, 57%), followed by ST541/t034 (5/21, 23.8%). The rest of the isolates were ST72/t664 (n=2) and ST72/t2461 (n=2), respectively. Our data provide evidence for the existence of not only LA types (ST398 and ST541) but also HA type (ST72) MRSA in pigs in Korea. This survey provides the first evidence of LA type MRSA in animals in Korea. In addition, the presence of human MRSA clones in pigs observed in this study suggests an additional reservoir for human MRSA infection, and vice versa.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Bovine Mastitis in Korea

A total of 402 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine mastitis milk collected during 2003-2009 in Korea were tested for susceptibility to 20 antimicrobial agents. All S. aureus isolates were susceptible to 11 of 20 antimicrobials tested; no resistance was observed against pirlimycin, telithromycin, novobiocin, penicillin/novobiocin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, clindamycin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin, trimethprim/sulfamethoxazol, vancomycin, and linezolid. Over 66% of the S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin. Resistance was also seen for gentamicin (11.9%), erythromycin (7.7%), methicillin (oxacillin and cefoxitin, 6.2%), and tetracycline (4.2%). No noticeable change was observed in penicillin, gentamicin, and erythromycin resistance over the 7-year period. Tetracycline resistance appeared to decrease consistently, whereas methicillin resistance was observed from 2005. About 2.7% (11/402) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials. Genotyping of the 17 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from each cow revealed two staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types (IV and IVa), three spa types (t286, t324, and untypable), and two sequence types (ST1 and ST72). Eleven of 17 (64.7%) MRSA strains belonged to SCCmec IVa-t324-ST72. The rest of strains belonged to SCCmec IVa-t286-ST1 (n = 3) and SCCmec IV-untypable-ST72 (n = 3). None of the MRSA carried the Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene. These characteristics are the same as those found in community-acquired (CA) MRSA strains prevalent in humans in Korea. Three pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types (A-C) were observed among the 17 MRSA strains examined, and 14 strains belonged to the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern regardless of their geographical origin and year of isolation. The results of this study provide evidence of CA-MRSA infection in dairy cattle for the first time in Korea.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of CTX-M β-Lactamase–Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Healthy Swine and Cattle

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of CTX-M β-lactamases in Escherichia coli among healthy swine and cattle in Korea. A total of 1212 fecal samples obtained from healthy pigs (n=558) and cattle (n=654) were screened for CTX-M-type extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates. One hundred and twenty-one E. coli that produced ESBL were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. A high number (120/558, 21.5%) of swine fecal samples showed the presence of CTX-M β-lactamase-producing E. coli compared to cattle samples (1/654, 0.2%). The most predominant CTX-M-type identified was CTX-M-14 (n=82), followed by CTX-M-15 (n=16). Isolates producing CTX-M-3, CTX-M-27, CTX-M-55, and CTX-M-65 were also identified. Overall, the bla(TEM-1) gene was associated with CTX-M β-lactamase in 55 E. coli isolates. Transfer of bla(CTX-M) gene was demonstrated from 76 out of 121 bla(CTX-M)-positive E. coli isolates to the recipient E. coli J53 by conjugation. Plasmid DNA isolation from the transconjugants revealed a large (90-120 Kb) conjugative plasmid. ISEcp1 and IS903 were detected upstream and downstream of bla(CTX-M) genes in 117 and 91 E. coli isolates, respectively. Our results demonstrated that a combination of clonal expansion and horizontal transmission is spreading bla(CTX-M) genes among swine E. coli. The horizontal dissemination of bla(CTX-M) genes among E. coli was mostly mediated by IncF or IncI1-Iγ plasmids. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report of CTX-M-3, CTX-M-27, CTX-M-55, and CTX-M-65 β-lactamases in bacterial isolates from food animals in Korea. This study revealed that the CTX-M β-lactamase-producing E. coli are widely disseminated among healthy pigs but very rare in cattle in Korea. Increasing prevalence of bla(CTX-M) genes in intestinal E. coli of food animals is a matter of concern and should be carefully monitored.

Molecular Characterization of CTX-M β-Lactamase and Associated Addiction Systems in Escherichia coli Circulating among Cattle, Farm Workers, and the Farm Environment

ABSTRACT A total of 84 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates from cattle, farm workers, and the farm environment isolated from February to September 2008 in the Republic of Korea were investigated. All 84 ESBL-producing isolates carried bla CTX-M genes that belonged to the CTX-M-1 (n = 35) or CTX-M-9 (n = 49) family. The most predominant CTX-M type identified was CTX-M-14 (n = 49), followed by CTX-M-32 (n = 26). The bla CTX-M genes were identified most commonly in E. coli isolates from feces (n = 29), teats (n = 25), and milk (n = 14). A bla CTX-M-14 gene was also detected in an E. coli isolate from a farmers hand. Transfer of the bla CTX-M gene from 60 bla CTX-M-positive E. coli isolates to the recipient E. coli J53 strain by conjugation was demonstrated. Plasmid isolation from bla CTX-M-positive transconjugants revealed a large (95- to 140-kb) conjugative plasmid. Almost all (82/84) bla CTX-M genes possessed an insertion sequence, ISEcp1, upstream of the bla CTX-M gene. Only in the case of the CTX-M-14 genes was IS903 downstream of the gene. The bla CTX-M genes were associated with seven kinds of addiction systems. Among them, pndAC, hok-sok, and srnBC were the most frequently identified addiction systems in both wild strains and transconjugants. The spread of bla CTX-M genes was attributed to both clonal expansion and horizontal dissemination. Our data suggest that a combination of multiple addiction systems in plasmids carrying bla CTX-M genes could contribute to their maintenance in the host cells. To our knowledge, the bla CTX-M-32 gene has not previously been reported in animal isolates from the Republic of Korea.

Transmission and Persistence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Milk, Environment, and Workers in Dairy Cattle Farms

The aim of this study was to determine the presence and persistence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in milk, farm environment, and farmers on 22 dairy cattle farms in Korea during 2008-2009. Genetic relatedness among the MRSA isolates was also investigated. Of 1146 samples examined, 35 of 559 (6.3%) quarter milk samples from 371 cows, four of 86 (4.7%) hand and nose samples from 43 farmers, and 6 of 501 (1.2%) farm environment samples were MRSA positive. Except for three isolates, all MRSA were classified into ST72-spa t324-SCCmec IV with PVL negative, the most predominant clonal type among community-associated MRSA in South Korea. All 35 MRSA-positive milk samples from 19 cows were obtained from a single farm (Farm G) out of 22 (4.5%) farms tested. The farm G was revisited 1 year later and milk samples were collected for examination of MRSA again. Two of six previous MRSA-positive cattle that had been kept on the farm still harbored MRSA genetically identical to MRSA strains, which were isolated from the same farm a year ago. The results of this study provide the evidence of transmission of MRSA among cattle, farm environment, and farmers and also long-term persistence of MRSA in animals.

CTX-M-Type β-Lactamase in Escherichia coli Isolated from Sick Animals in Korea

About 408 Escherichia coli were isolated from sick farm animals and pets during 2003-2006. Of these isolates, four strains showed resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. The bla(CTX-M-14) gene was encountered in three E. coli strains, each of which were isolated from two cows and a dog, respectively, and bla(CTX-M-15) was identified in an E. coli isolated from a pig. All bla(CTX-M) genes were found to be transferred. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern indicated that the CTX-M-type beta-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates were genetically diverse. This study shows the emergence of CTX-M-type beta-lactamase-producing E. coli in animals for the first time in Korea. Study results suggest the need for awareness and comprehensive monitoring of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in animals because gene transfer can occur between animals as well as humans.