Skin floras were taken from forehead, sternal area, lower margin of axillae, and interscapular space of 50 healthy Koreans(M 30, F 20) between 18 year and 40 years old using Williamson and Kligman's method and modified Pilsburg and .Nichols method. After incubating these floras for 3-5 days aerobically and anaerobically, we identified them using various stains and biochemical tests. The most common flora was Corynebucterium acne(84%), followed by aerobic diphtheroids(14%), coagulase negative staphylococcus, Micrococcus in orders. Although transient floras including Staphylococcus aareas, Pseudomonas, Listeria monocytogenes, and other Gram negative bacilli were isolated, they were rare and did mainly from axilla. The most common resident site of Corynebacteirium acne was forehead (l. 67 x 10/cm), but in aerobic diphtheroids and Micrococcaceae was the lower margin of axilla(2.70x16/cm, 2.34x10/cm), in which aerobic floras were more than anaerobics. The incidence rate of lipophilic diphtheroid was 27%, however it was 35% in axilla. The aerobic diphtheroid capable of nitrate reduction was 26%, which was very common in forehead. Among Propionibacterium species, Propionibacterim(P) acne was isolated 100% from all sites, but P. grandulosum was only in 2-7% and P. avidum was not.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Axilla ; Coagulase ; Coloring Agents ; Forehead ; Humans ; Incidence ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Micrococcaceae ; Micrococcus ; Propionibacterium ; Pseudomonas ; Skin* ; Staphylococcus

Contamination with sanitary microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen from Bulgaria after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage has been found. Dried flower bee pollens intended for human consumption were with high incidence rate of contamination with Pantoea sp. (P. agglomerans and P. agglomerans bgp6) (100%), Citrobacter freundii (47%), Proteus mirabilis (31.6%), Serratia odorifera (15.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (5.3%). Bee pollens were also positive for the culture of microorganisms from Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families: Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that, if consumed directly, the vacuum-packed cold stored dried bee pollen, harvested according hygienic requirements from bee hives in industrial pollution-free areas without intensive crop production, is not problem for healthy human.
Arthrobacter ; Bacillaceae ; Bacillus ; Bacillus subtilis ; Bees* ; Bulgaria ; Citrobacter freundii ; Crop Production ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Flowers* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Micrococcaceae ; Pantoea ; Pollen* ; Proteus mirabilis ; Proteus vulgaris ; Pseudomonadaceae ; Serratia ; Staphylococcaceae ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Urticaria ; Vacuum*

Infection structures were observed at the penetration sites on the leaves of cucumber plants inoculated with Colletotrichum orbiculare using a fluorescence microscope. The cucumber plants were previously drenched with suspension of bacterial strains Pseudomonas putida or Micrococcus luteus. The plants pre-inoculated with both bacterial strains were resistant against anthracnose after inoculation with C. orbiculare. To investigate the resistance mechanism by both bacterial strains, the surface of infected leaves was observed at the different time after challenge inoculation. At 3 days after inoculation there were no differences in the germination and appressorium formation of conidia of C. orbiculare as well as in the callose formation of the plants between both bacteria pre-inoculated and non-treated. At 5 days, the germination and appressorium formation of the fungal conidia were, however, significantly decreased on the leaves of plants pre-inoculated with M. luteus at the concentration with 1.0 x 10(7) cfu/ml. Furthermore, callose formation of plants cells at the penetration sites was apparently increased. In contrast, there were no defense reactions of the plants at the concentration with 1.0 x 10(6) cfu/ml of M. luteus. Similarly, inoculation P. putida caused no plant resistance at the low concentration, whereas increase of callose formation was observed at the higher concentration. The results of this study suggest that the resistant mechanisms might be differently expressed by the concentration of pre-treatment with bacterial suspension.
Bacteria ; Colletotrichum* ; Fluorescence ; Germination ; Micrococcus luteus* ; Micrococcus* ; Plants ; Pseudomonas putida* ; Pseudomonas* ; Spores, Fungal

Efficacy of resistance induction by the bacterial isolates Pseudomonas putida (TRL2-3), Micrococcus luteus (TRK2-2) and Flexibacteraceae bacterium (MRL412), which were isolated from the rhizosphere of plants growing in Jeju Mountain, were tested in a greenhouse. The disease severity caused by Phytophthora infestans was effectively reduced in the potato plants pre-inoculated with bacterial isolates compared with those of the untreated control plants growing in a greenhouse. In order to estimate the level of protection by the bacterial isolates, Mancozeb WP (Diesen M(R), Kyong nong) and DL-3-amino butyric acid (BABA) were pre-treated, whereas Dimethomorph WP (Forum(R), Kyong nong) and phosphonic acid (H3PO3) were post-treated the challenge inoculation with the pathogen. Disease severities of chemical pre-treated as well as post-treated plants were reduced compare to those of the untreated. The disease reduction in the plants pre-treated with Mancozeb WP was the highest, whereas that of post-treated with Dimethomorph WP was the lowest. The yields of plants pre-inoculated with three bacterial isolates were greatly increased than those of control plants. These results suggest that biological control by bacterial isolates might be an alternative strategy against late blight disease in potato plants growing in greenhouse.
Butyric Acid ; Cytophagaceae ; Micrococcus luteus ; Phytophthora infestans* ; Phytophthora* ; Pseudomonas putida ; Rhizosphere ; Solanum tuberosum*

Rothia mucilaginosa is a gram-positive coccus of the family Micrococcaceae. R. mucilaginosa is considered a part of the normal flora of the human oropharynx and upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract infections attributable to R. mucilaginosa are not frequent. We present a case of pneumonia, in which the R. mucilaginosa infection was diagnosed by quantitative cultures of a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen. A 46-yr-old woman with B lymphoblastic lymphoma was admitted to the hospital for scheduled chemotherapy. Her chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed bilateral multifocal nodular and patchy consolidation in both lungs. Investigation of the BAL specimen revealed that 7% of leukocytes had intracellular gram-positive cocci. The quantitative cultures of the BAL specimen grew mucoid, non-hemolytic, and grayish convex colonies on blood agar at a count of approximately 200,000 colony-forming units/mL. The colonies were identified as R. mucilaginosa. The patient was empirically treated with levofloxacin for 7 days, after which findings on the chest radiograph and CT scan improved. She was discharged with improvement on hospital day 46. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. mucilaginosa pneumonia diagnosed in Korea. Quantitative culture of BAL specimen and examination of intracellular organisms are crucial for assessing the clinical significance of R. mucilaginosa recovered from the lower respiratory tract.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/*microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung/radiography ; Lymphoma/complications/*diagnosis ; Micrococcaceae/*isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia/complications/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as a novel class of biopolymer, are attracting more attention due to their diverse material properties and environment-independent biodegradability. Here we report the preparation of PHA exhibiting efficient antibacterial activity by embedding Nisin, a food additive generally recognized as safe, into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx), a type of PHA with high biocompatibility. We first prepared Nisin-containing PHBHHx films using solvent casting method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed that a well-mixed integrated structure of the films with an even distribution of the Nisin particles in the PHBHHx matrices. Then the antimicrobial activity of PHBHHx/Nisin films against Micrococcus luteus was quantified on agar plate by measuring the size of inhibition zone. Cultivation in liquid media further confirmed the releasing of Nisin from the films and the long-time antibacterial activity. Results showed that the threshold of Nisin concentration for long-time and effective inhibition against bacteria growth is 25 μg/g. These results altogether establish a technological foundation for the application of PHA in biomedicine and food industry.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; chemistry ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Nisin ; chemistry ; Polyhydroxyalkanoates ; chemistry

The objective of this study is to propose a more accurate and faster MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] colorimetric assay (MCA) for quantitative measurement of polypeptide bacteriocins in solutions with nisin as an example. After an initial incubation of nisin and indicator bacterium Micrococcus luteus NCIB 8166 in tubes, MTT was added for another incubation period. After that, nisin was quantified by estimating the number of viable bacteria based on measuring the amount of purple formazan produced by cleavage of yellow tetrazolium salt MTT. Then MCA was compared to a standard agar diffusion assay (ADA). The results suggested a high correlation coefficient (r(2)=0.975+/-0.004) between optical density (OD) and the inhibitory effect of nisin on a bacterial strain Micrococcus luteus NCIB 8166 at a range of 0.125-32 IU/ml. The MCA described in this study was very quick. Quantification of nisin took only 7-8 h and the detection limit was at the level of 0.125 IU/ml when compared to 12 IU/ml and 24-28 h for ADA. The MCA provides an accurate and rapid method for quantification of nisin in solutions and is expected to be used for quantification of other antimicrobial substances.
Bacteriocins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Colorimetry ; methods ; Immunodiffusion ; Micrococcus luteus ; metabolism ; Nisin ; Regression Analysis ; Tetrazolium Salts ; analysis ; Thiazoles ; analysis ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDEarly embryonic developmental arrest is the most commonly understudied adverse outcome of pregnancy. The relevance of intrauterine infection to spontaneous embryonic death is rarely studied and remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intrauterine bacterial infection and early embryonic developmental arrest.

METHODSEmbryonic chorion tissue and uterine swabs for bacterial detection were obtained from 33 patients who underwent artificial abortion (control group) and from 45 patients who displayed early embryonic developmental arrest (trial group).

RESULTSIntrauterine bacterial infection was discovered in both groups. The infection rate was 24.44% (11/45) in the early embryonic developmental arrest group and 9.09% (3/33) in the artificial abortion group. Classification analysis revealed that the highest detection rate for Micrococcus luteus in the early embryonic developmental arrest group was 13.33% (6/45), and none was detected in the artificial abortion group. M. luteus infection was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05 as shown by Fisher's exact test). In addition, no correlation was found between intrauterine bacterial infection and history of early embryonic developmental arrest.

CONCLUSIONSM. luteus infection is related to early embryonic developmental arrest and might be one of its causative factors.

Abortion, Induced ; statistics & numerical data ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; etiology ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Micrococcus luteus ; pathogenicity ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; microbiology

No Abstract Available.
Arthrobacter* ; Chitinase*

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing skin disease that is associated with a disturbance of the epidermal barrier function. Changes in the human skin microbiome have been suggested as a risk factor for AD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the species distribution of microflora on the skin and in the oral cavity of healthy volunteers and patients with AD. METHODS: Samples for culture were obtained from both lesional skin and the oral cavity in 211 patients with AD and from both the normal skin and oral cavity of 24 healthy controls. Species identification was performed with the VITEK 2 system (bioMerieux Inc., Hazelwood, MO, USA). RESULTS: The isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from the skin was statistically more frequent among patients with AD than among healthy controls, while the isolation of Staphylococcus hominis and Micrococcus luteus were statistically more frequent among healthy controls than among patients with AD (p<0.05). In the oral cavity, S. aureus and Candida albicans were found more frequently in patients with AD, but the difference did was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study provides an important insight into the species distribution of microorganisms on human skin and in the oral cavity. Further investigation is required to determine the role of specific microorganisms in the etiology and pathogenicity of AD.
Candida albicans ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Micrococcus luteus ; Mouth ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Virulence