Shigella sonnei KNIH104S, which was selected by Korean National Institute of Health, expresses form I-antigen as a somatic antigen. In this study, we cloned the genes responsible for form I-antigen synthesis from S. sonnei KNIH104S. A Sau3AI-generated cosmid library of S. sonnei KNIH104S plasmids were transfected into E. coli LE392 and transfectants were tested for agglutination with antiserum against S. sonnei form I-antigen. A clone, JH222, showing the strongest agglutination activity was chosen for further analysis. A recombinant cosmid, pJH222, was isolated from the strain JH222 and retransfected into E. coli LE392. All of the transfectants agglutinated with antiserum against form I-antigen, indicating that pJH222 carried the genes required for S. sonnei form I-antigen synthesis. Restriction analysis of pJH222 revealed a 38 kb insert, which was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis to be present on a large plasmid of S. sonnei KNIH104S.
Agglutination ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Cosmids ; Plasmids ; Shigella sonnei* ; Shigella*

No abstract available.
Humans

BACKGROUND: As nonsurgical interventions for vitiligo are not always successful, various surgical modalities have been used in patients with refractory vitiligo. Of these, non-cultured epidermal suspension transplantation (NCES) was recently introduced to treat large recipient sites using cells from small donor tissue. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effectiveness and safety of NCES as a surgical treatment for patients with refractory vitiligo. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 20 cases in 17 patients (11 females; median age 25 years) who underwent NCES from July 2015 through March 2018. Suction blisters (20 mm in diameter) were collected from the patient's inner thigh at a donor-to-recipient area ratio of 1:5. After the addition of 5 mL recombinant trypsin solution to the suction blisters, followed by incubation at 37℃ for 60 min, epidermal cells were manually scraped off the blister surface, and epidermal cell suspension was obtained by centrifugation at 1,500 RPM for 5 min. The suspension was applied to the vitiligo regions after epidermal ablation of those regions. Phototherapy resumed 1 month later. Treatment success was defined as ≥75% repigmentation of the surgical site, and all adverse events were noted. RESULTS: Overall, 85.0% of cases (17/20) exhibited treatment success. Adverse events included hyperpigmentation (20%) and surgical site infection (5%), but the treatment was tolerable in all cases. CONCLUSION: NCES is a reliable surgical option for patients with vitiligo refractory to nonsurgical treatment. Large areas of vitiligo can be treated by NCES, and use of this technique should be encouraged in Korea.
Blister* ; Centrifugation ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Korea ; Phototherapy ; Retrospective Studies* ; Suction* ; Surgical Wound Infection ; Thigh ; Tissue Donors ; Transplantation ; Trypsin ; Vitiligo*

Background: Micropigmentation is a medical tattooing procedure in which pigments are implanted into the superficial dermis using a manual or electrically driven needle. Objective: We aimed to assess the benefit and risk of micropigmentation in the treatment of acral vitiligo refractory to the conventional treatment. Methods: An open-label study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019. A total of 12 patients with 20 acral vitiligo lesions were treated with micropigmentation using an electric tattooing machine. The micropigmentation treatment was repeated for a few sessions to achieve optimal pigmentation. Color matching between the lesion and peri-lesional skin was assessed using a 4-point grading scale (poor, fair, good, and excellent). Results: Overall, 85% (17 of 20) showed excellent color matching after a median of 2 (range: 1∼5) treatment sessions. The post-treatment color was darker than the surrounding skin immediately after the procedure, but it gradually faded over time. Pain during the procedure was not mild, but local anesthetic injection was not required. Post-treatment erythema and swelling occurred, but they resolved within a few days. No allergic reaction to the pigment or koebnerization of the vitiligo was noted. Conclusion Micropigmentation could be a promising treatment option for refractory acral vitiligo. A few treatment sessions (i.e., retouch) may be required for desired outcomes. The crucial parts of micropigmentation are pigment selection and implantation depth. It does not require injection of local anesthetics and provides immediate treatment effects after the procedure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of fungal cultures and the identification tests used by diagnostic laboratories in Korea. METHODS: From 22 October to 30 November 2013, we surveyed 76 laboratories, participating in the regular proficiency survey program of The Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory, with a questionnaire on fungal cultures and their identification tests. In March 2014, five mold were distributed to ninety-one participating laboratories, as an educational challenge. RESULTS: Fifty-six (73.7%) out of seventy-six laboratories replied to the survey questionnaire. Yeast was identified using commercial kits in all laboratories and to species level in 82.1% of the laboratories, whereas moulds were mainly identified by morphological examinations, to species level in 41.1% of the laboratories. The response rate to the five proficiency specimens was 67.0%–71.1%. The percentage of correctly identified dermatophytes was lower than that of Aspergillus species. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement is required in the mould culturing and identification techniques used in diagnostic laboratories in Korea.
Arthrodermataceae ; Aspergillus ; Fungi ; Korea* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yeasts

To provide basic information on the pathogengenesis of Vibrio vulnificus infection and for the manufacture of effective vaccine, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were extracted from V. vulnificus ATCC 27562 strain and analysed by 12% of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyarylamide gel(SDS-PAGE). Major 36 kDa and 48 kDa, 46 kDa, 66 kDa and 24 kDa protein bands appeared on gel by Coomassie stain and determined by densitometer. Immunogenecity of these proteins was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) and western blotting with rabbit anti-V. vulnificus serum. OMPs reacted with this antiserum, and the major 36 kDa protein appeared most immunogenic.
Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Membrane Proteins* ; Membranes* ; Sodium ; Vibrio vulnificus

BACKGROUND: We developed a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane protein(OMP) vaccine, CFC-101, and the prophylactic efficacy of which has been demonstrated in animal models. In order to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the P. aeruginosa vaccine, we carried out a phase I/IIa clinical trial in healthy male volunteers. METHODS: Groups of eight volunteers, including two placebo subjects, were vaccinated intramuscularly with three doses of 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg of the vaccine at one week intervals. Signs of systemic and local reactions observed after vaccination were recorded for each vaccinee for 5 days. Physical examinations were performed on days 0, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 42, and clinical laboratory tests were done on days 0, 3, and 21. Blood samples for assay of serum antibody levels were obtained up to 42 days after the first vaccination. RESULTS: The vaccine was generally well tolerated by all vaccinees, showing no significant side effects. In the three dosage groups, all vaccinees, except one receiving the 0.25 mg dose, showed significant elevation in serum IgG antibody titers against the vaccine proteins, indicating 100% seroconversion in 0.5 and 1.0 mg groups. The human antibodies induced by the vaccine were specific for P. aeruginosa OMPs, as confirmed by western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assays. The capacity of the human antisera to enhance opsonophagocytic killing activity by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and to confer protection against P. aeruginosa infections indicates that the antibodies elicited by the vaccine have protective efficacy. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the P. aeruginosa OMP vaccine is safe and effective for human use and its optimal dose to be 0.5 or 1.0 mg.
Antibodies ; Blotting, Western ; Homicide ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoprecipitation ; Male ; Membrane Proteins* ; Membranes* ; Models, Animal ; Neutrophils ; Physical Examination ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Pseudomonas* ; Vaccination ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Topical tacrolimus is an effective anti-inflammatory therapy for acute and chronic states of atopic dermatitis (AD) in both adults and children. Topical tacrolimus has particular use at sensitive areas such as the face, anogenitals, and skin folds of neck and extremities. However, many AD patients also experience aggravated symptoms on trunk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus for AD patients with truncal lesions. METHODS: AD patients with truncal lesions who were aged ≥2 years were recruited from 20 centres in Korea. They received treatment with topical tacrolimus ointment twice daily during 4 weeks. The primary end point was change of the local eczema area and severity index (EASI) of the trunk from baseline to day 28. The secondary end points were changes in the patient global assessment (PGA) score and itch visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the trunk between baseline and day 28. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-one patients were recruited, and 176 patients completed the full 4-week treatment course. By the end of the treatment, the mean local EASI of the trunk (2.2±4.71) was significantly decreased from that at baseline (4.71±4.03, p < 0.001). PGA (1.71±1.15) and itch VAS score of the trunk (2.61±2.19) on day 28 were also profoundly decreased compared with the baseline (2.96±1.07 and 5.15±2.47, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. CONCLUSION: Topical tacrolimus is an effective and safe therapy for truncal lesions in AD patients.
Administration, Topical ; Adult ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eczema ; Extremities ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck ; Skin ; Tacrolimus*