Genotypic shift in rotavirus associated with neonatal outbreaks in Seoul, Korea.

Background: Rotavirus group A (RVA) is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide, despite the global expansion of rotavirus vaccination. In Korea, although the prevalence of RVA has been reduced among young children owing to vaccination, nosocomial infections still occur among neonates.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA strains associated with several neonatal outbreaks in Seoul from 2017 to 2020.

Dissemination of an international high-risk clone of Escherichia coli ST410 co-producing NDM-5 and OXA-181 carbapenemases in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The rapid increase in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales is a global health concern. During 2017-2020, a total of 44 Escherichia coli isolates co-harbouring bla and bla were collected from patients at 17 hospitals in Seoul and characterized based on antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes and plasmid replicons detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clonal relatedness was estimated using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Distribution of mcr genes among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales clinical isolates: high prevalence of mcr-positive Enterobacter cloacae complex in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Colistin is often used as a drug of last resort against infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Recently, the acquisition of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes by CRE has become a cause for concern. This study investigated the prevalence of mcr genes in CRE isolates in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Emergence of a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate of Escherichia coli ST8499 strain producing NDM-13 carbapenemase in the Republic of Korea.

We described a carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli ST8499 strain producing New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-13 (NDM-13) from patient in Korea. The isolate exhibited multidrug resistance, but remained susceptible to colistin and tigecycline. The bla gene was located on a 130-kb self-transmissible plasmid.

Monitoring heavy metals, residual agricultural chemicals and sulfites in traditional herbal decoctions.

Background: Asian traditional herbal preparations are frequently considered for the contamination with undeclared toxic or hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to determine the toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in decoctions that is a common form of final utilization in Korea.

Methods: A total of 155 decoctions composed of multi-ingredient traditional herbs were randomly sampled from Seoul in Korea between 2013 and 2014.

A potential risk assessment of a dengue outbreak in north central Texas, USA. (Part 1 of 2): Abundance and temporal variation of dengue vectors.

In response to three imported dengue cases in north central Texas as well as increased case numbers in Texas and adjoining Mexican states in 2005, the authors assessed the potential risk of a dengue outbreak in north central Texas by investigating abundance and temporal variation of dengue vectors in 2006. Dengue vector abundance was monitored from 54 sites in Dallas County, Texas, from June to November 2006, using oviposition traps. Both dengue vectors--the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus--were present.

Analysis of foodborne disease outbreaks for improvement of food safety programs in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 2002 to 2006.

Foodborne disease (FBD) is a common food safety problem in Seoul, Republic of Korea. To identify target areas for improvement of the food safety programs, FBD outbreaks from 2002 to 2006 were analyzed with regard to facility, monthly occurrences, and causative agents. A total of 147 FBD outbreaks were reported, with an average of 29.