During an investigation of fungi of the order Mucorales from freshwater and sediment samplesin Korea, we isolated six strains, NNIBRFG6649, NNIBRFG6255, NNIBRFG1498, CNUFCYJ13,CNUFC-YR7, and NNIBRFG2739. The morphology and phylogeny of these strains wereanalyzed. Based on the morphological characteristics and molecular data from internal transcribedspacer (ITS) region, the isolates NNIBRFG6649 and NNIBRFG6255 were identified asMucor abundans, and M. aligarensis, respectively. The isolates NNIBRFG1498 and CNUFC-YJ13were identified as M. moelleri, whereas the isolates CNUFC-YR7 and NNIBRFG2739 were identifiedas M. heterogamus. To the best of our knowledge, M. abundans, M. aligarensis, M. moelleri,and M. heterogamus have not yet been reported in Korea.

During an investigation of fungi of the order Mucorales from freshwater and sediment samplesin Korea, we isolated six strains, NNIBRFG6649, NNIBRFG6255, NNIBRFG1498, CNUFCYJ13,CNUFC-YR7, and NNIBRFG2739. The morphology and phylogeny of these strains wereanalyzed. Based on the morphological characteristics and molecular data from internal transcribedspacer (ITS) region, the isolates NNIBRFG6649 and NNIBRFG6255 were identified asMucor abundans, and M. aligarensis, respectively. The isolates NNIBRFG1498 and CNUFC-YJ13were identified as M. moelleri, whereas the isolates CNUFC-YR7 and NNIBRFG2739 were identifiedas M. heterogamus. To the best of our knowledge, M. abundans, M. aligarensis, M. moelleri,and M. heterogamus have not yet been reported in Korea.

Background: External ventricular drain (EVD)-related infection (ERI) is a serious complication in neurosurgical patients. The estimated ERI rates range from 5 to 20 cases per 1,000 EVD catheter days. The pathophysiology of ERI is similar to central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) stemming from skin-derived bacterial colonization. The use of bundle management can reduce CLABSI rates. Due to the pathogenic similarities between infections related to the two devices, we developed and evaluated the effectiveness of an ERI-bundle protocol based on CLABSI bundles. Methods: From November 2016 to November 2021, we conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an ERI-bundle protocol. This study adopted a before-and-after trial, comparing the ERI rates for the 2 years before and 3 years after the introduction of the newly developed ERI-bundle protocol. We also analyzed the contributing factors to ERI using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 183 patients with 2,381 days of catheter use were analyzed. The ERI rate decreased significantly after the ERI-bundle protocol from 16.7% (14 of 84; 14.35 per 1,000 catheter days) to 4.0% (4 of 99; 3.21 per 1,000 catheter days) (P = 0.004). Conclusion Introduction of the ERI-bundle protocol was very effective in reducing ERI.