Seventy cases of empyema treated on the pediatric Service of Kwangju Christian Hospital during 9 years 6 months from Jan. 1970 to Jun. 1979 were analyzed and summerized as follows : 1. Males outnumbered females 38 to 32. No seasonal difference in prevalence was notes. 2. About 60% of empyema(41 cases) were on the right side and 36% on the left side. In 3 cases both sides were affected. The most common concurrent disease was pneumonia, which was suspected as th etiology of empyema. 3. Common chief complaints were dyspnea(53%), fever(47%) and cough(43%). 4. Upon culture of pus, 21 cases among 63 cases(33%) showed no bacterial growth, indicating that had under gone antibacterical treatment before admission. 5. The most common causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus(41.2%) followed vy Pseudomonas(7.9%) Streptococcus(4.8%) E.Coli(4.8%) and Pneumococcus(4.8%). 6. Upon sensitivity test, no resistance was observed to Methicillin and Amikacin, but most of the causative agents were sensitive to Gentamicin, Cephalothin and Novobiocin, while they were least sensitive to Penicillin(17%) and colimycin(9%). 7. Average hospital days were 18, and two cases(2.9%) expired, both one year of age. Average duration of closed drainage was two weeks.
Amikacin ; Cephalothin ; Drainage ; Empyema* ; Female ; Gentamicins ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Male ; Methicillin ; Novobiocin ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Staphylococcus ; Suppuration

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide and the emergence of this strain has become a major clinical problem. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA and their genetic characteristics in 69 S. aureus isolated from humans and animals. In human isolates, higher antimicrobial resistance rates were observed against penicillin (80.6%), followed by erythromycin (11.9%) and tetracycline (9.0%). All of them were susceptible to clindamycin, enrofloxacin, novobiocin, pirlimycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. The resistance patterns in animal isolates were similar to those of human isolates. Two (2.9%) MRSA strains were isolated from human (n = 1) and animal (n = 1), and these isolates were confirmed as carrying the mecA gene. One isolate originating from human was resistant to 7 drugs and the other isolate derived from animal was resistant to 11 drugs. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) variant IIIB was identified in animal isolate but SCCmec type of an isolate from human was not exactly determined. Two MRSA isolates showed unrelated PFGE pattern between them. Our results indicated although the frequency of MRSA isolates from humans and animals was low, a continuous surveillance and monitoring should be called for to prevent the contamination and spread of MRSA in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first time that SCCmec type variant IIIB was detected from animals in Korea.
Adenosine ; Animals ; Clindamycin ; Erythromycin ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Korea ; Lifting ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Novobiocin ; Penicillins ; Prevalence ; Sprains and Strains ; Staphylococcus ; Tetracycline ; Vancomycin

During the period from Jan. 1978 to June 1978, clinical and laboratory observations were done on the 46 cases of gonorrhea and 40 cases of non-specific urethritis at random selection in the Department of Urology, Korea University Hospital. The following results were obtained: 1. The average age of the gonorrheal patients were 24 years old and 30 years in non-specific urethritis patients. 2. The main clinical symptoms of gonorrheal patients were profuse yellowish urethral discharge found in 91.3 % of cases and painful urination in 37 %. The symptoms of non-specific urethritis patients showed scanty urethral discharge in 525 % of cases and urethral discomfort in 25%. 3. The incubation period of gonorrheal cases was 3 to 7 days while in one-fourth of non-specific urethritis the period was shorter than 10 days. 4. In the past history 43.5 % of gonorrheal patients had V. D. and 62.5 % of non-specific urethritis patients had them. 5. In 20 cases ( 50%) of non-specific urethritis had positive shred culture with no evidence of positive findings in urinalysis or in Gram stain of urine sediment. 6. In 31 cases(77.5%) of positive shred cultures, staphy lococcus albus were grown in 12 cases, diphtheroid in 10 cases, mixed growth of staphylococcus albus and diphtheroid in 5 cases. Antimicrobial sensitivity test with Gram(+) cocci obtained from 19 cases of nonspecific urethritis showed highly sensitive resultes to hentamicin, lincomycin, carbenicillin, novobiocin and highly resistant reactions to oxytetracycline. 7. 82.6% of cases of gonococcal infection were cultured on the Thayer-Martin medium and antimicrobial sensitivity test was done with these colonies by disc diffusion method. Penicillin and its derivatives were highly sensitive, other antibiotics such as erythromycin, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol and gentamicin were also sensitive.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Carbenicillin ; Chloramphenicol ; Diffusion ; Erythromycin ; Gentamicins ; Gonorrhea* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lincomycin ; Novobiocin ; Oxytetracycline ; Penicillins ; Staphylococcus ; Urethritis* ; Urinalysis ; Urination ; Urology ; Young Adult

ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) catalyzes the reaction in which the ADP-ribose moiety of beta-NAD+ is transferred to specific amino acid residues in target proteins. The ADPRT of Mycobacterium smegmatis has been known to inactivate rifampin through ADP-ribosylation. However, the enzymatic characteristics and functions of the enzyme have not been elucidated yet. In this study, the ADPRT-glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and enzymatic characteristics of the fusion protein were investigated. ADPRT-GST fusion protein was an ADPribosyltransferase that had no NAD glycohydrolase activity. ADPRT-GST fusion protein showed no self-inactivation phenomenon that is a universal nature for all NAD glycohydrolases and is important in regulating its activity. ADPRT activity of the enzyme was decreased by novobiocin and isonicotinic acid hydrazide. These results suggest that Mycobacterium smegmatis ADPRT could be regulated by a different way from other NADases and involved in bacterial physiological process through a post-translational modification of cytosolic proteins.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose ; ADP Ribose Transferases* ; Cytosol ; Escherichia coli ; Isoniazid ; Mycobacterium smegmatis* ; Mycobacterium* ; NAD+ Nucleosidase ; Novobiocin ; Physiological Processes ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Rifampin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cronobacter sakazakii, an emergent pathogen is considered as a major concern to infants and neonates fed on reconstituted powdered infant milk formula. In conjunction with many other factors, biofilm forming capacity adds to its pathogenic potential. In view of the facts that infants are at highest risk to C. sakazakii infections, and emerging antibiotic resistance among pathogens, it is imperative to evaluate probiotic cultures for their efficacy against C. sakazakii. Therefore, pure probiotic strains were isolated from commercial probiotic products and tested for their antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against C. sakazakii. METHODS: A total of 6 probiotic strains were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility followed by antimicrobial activity using cell-free supernatant (CFS) against C. sakazakii. The inhibitory activity of CFS against biofilm formation by C. sakazakii was determined using standard crystal violet assay and microscopic observations. RESULTS: All the probiotic strains were sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, vancomycin and carbenicillin whereas most of the strains were resistant to erythromycin and novobiocin. Four of the 6 probiotic derived CFS possessed antimicrobial activity against C. sakazakii at a level of 40 μL. A higher biofilm inhibitory activity (>80%) was observed at initial stages of biofilm formation with weaker activity during longer incubation upto 48 hours (50%–60%). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated the efficacy of isolated commercial probiotics strains as potential inhibitor of biofilm formation by C. sakazakii and could be further explored for novel bioactive molecules to limit the emerging infections of C. sakazakii.
Ampicillin ; Biofilms ; Carbenicillin ; Cronobacter sakazakii ; Cronobacter ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Erythromycin ; Gentian Violet ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Milk ; Novobiocin ; Probiotics ; Tetracycline ; Vancomycin

Clinical observations were made on 251 cases of pyodermas at the Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook University Hospital from 1968 to 1972. Especially noteworthy is the application of josamycin to 41 cases of pyodermas to observe its therapeutic effects. Since 1968, the frequency of pyodermas has shown an annual increase. The ratio between male and female was 1. 4: 1, gradually changing from 2. 3: 1 in 1968 to an almost balanced incidence in 1972. The age of onset. differed with types of disease, but 76. 2% of all cases occurred before the age of 15. The outbreaks of impetigo bullosa and impetigo vulgaris were found to be affected by season, the highest prevalence being in summer. Seasonal occurrence of all cases was found to be 45.5% in summer and 24. 3% in fall with no noticeable change ohserved in spring and winter. Predilection sites of the disease differed according to the type of the disease but all types showed a marked predilection for the exposed areas as against the covered areas (4 times). Sensitivity of causative organisms to antibiotics was found to be fairly high to cloxacillin, novobiocin and ampicillin, and relative to kanamycin, streptomycin and doxycycline but all tested cases showed resistance to tetracycline, chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline. Josamycin was effective in all types of pyodermas, and was dramtical]y so in impetigo bullosa of which pustules disappeared within 3 or 5 days of treatment. Two out of 41 cases complained of abdominal pain and weakness. The sensitivity of the causative organisms of all types of pyodermas to josamycin was 83. 3%.
Abdominal Pain ; Age of Onset ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Chlortetracycline ; Cloxacillin ; Dermatology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Doxycycline ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Impetigo ; Incidence ; Josamycin ; Kanamycin ; Male ; Novobiocin ; Oxytetracycline ; Prevalence ; Pyoderma* ; Seasons ; Streptomycin ; Tetracycline

OBJECTIVETo assess DNA repair capacity of human lymphocytes with comet assay.

METHODSFresh lymphocytes form twelve 26-year old donors (6 males, 6 females) were exposed to ultraviolet C (UVC, 254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m(2). The lymphocytes of each donor were divided into three parts: UVC group, UVC + aphidicolin (APC) group, UVC + novobiocin (NOV) group. DNA single strand breaks were detected with comet assay in UVC-irradiated cells and unirradiated cells incubated for 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min. DNA repair rate (DRR) was calculated and served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.

RESULTSThe maximum average comet tail length (MTL) in three groups appeared 90 min after UVC exposure. The DRR range of UVC group was 81.84% (62.84% - 98.71%); There was no significant difference in DRR between males and females (P > 0.05). However, the average DRRs of UVC + NOV group and UVC + APC group (52.98% and 39.57% respectively) were significantly lower than that of UVC group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONComet assay is a rapid and simple screening test to assess DNA repair capacity. DRR, as an indicator, may express the individual DNA repair capacity.

Aphidicolin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; methods ; DNA ; drug effects ; genetics ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Novobiocin ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

AIMTo study the anti-angiogenic activity of novobiocin and its mechanism of action.

METHODSThe anti-angiogenic activity of novobiocin was determined using chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane(CAM) assay. MTT assay, zymography and related assays were used to observe the effects of drugs on bovine aorta endothelial cells and human pulmonary carcinoma PG cells.

RESULTSNovobiocin at the doses of 100 and 200 micrograms/egg inhibited angiogenesis by 31.6% and 68.7% in CAM, respectively. The combination of novobiocin and vincristine enhanced the anti-angiogenic effect. Novobiocin inhibited the proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, novobiocin suppressed MMP-2 secretion, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells. As determined by MTT assay, novobiocin in combination with vincristine displayed synergistic effect on the proliferation of PG cells,

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that novobiocin is active in suppressing angiogenesis and the anti-angiogenic activity may be enhanced by combination with vincristine. The anti-angiogenic activity of novobiocin may be related, at least in part, to its inhibition of cell proliferation, cell migration, tube formation and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cattle ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Chick Embryo ; Drug Synergism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Novobiocin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEAlkaline comet assay was used to evaluate DNA repair (nucleotide excision repair, NER) capacity of human fresh lymphocytes from 12 young healthy non-smokers (6 males and 6 females).

METHODSLymphocytes were exposed to UV-C (254 nm) at the dose rate of 1.5 J/m2/sec. Novobiocin (NOV) and aphidicolin (APC), DNA repair inhibitors, were utilized to imitate the deficiency of DNA repair capacity at the incision and ligation steps of NER. Lymphocytes from each donor were divided into three grougs: UVC group, UVC plus NOV group, and UVC plus APC group. DNA single strand breaks were detected in UVC irradiated cells incubated for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after UVC irradiation. DNA repair rate (DRR) served as an indicator of DNA repair capacity.

RESULTSThe results indicated that the maximum DNA damage (i.e. maximum tail length) in the UVC group mainly appeared at 90 min. The ranges of DRRs in the UVC group were 62.84%-98.71%. Average DRR value was 81.84%. The DRR difference between males and females was not significant (P < 0.05). However, the average DRR value in the UVC plus NOV group and the UVC plus APC group was 52.98% and 39.57% respectively, which were significantly lower than that in the UVC group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe comet assay is a rapid, simple and sensitive screening test to assess individual DNA repair (NER) capacity. It is suggested that the time to detect DNA single strand breaks in comet assay should include 0 (before UV irradiation), 90 and 240 min after exposure to 1.5 J x m(-2) UVC at least. The DRR, as an indicator, can represent the individual DNA repair capacity in comet assay.

Adult ; Aphidicolin ; pharmacology ; Comet Assay ; methods ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Novobiocin ; pharmacology ; Risk Assessment ; Time Factors ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects