Gyu Ri Kim, Ph.D., Eun-Young Kim, Ph.D., Si Hyun Kim, Ph.D., Hae Kyung Lee, M.D., Jaehyeon Lee, M.D., Jong Hee Shin, M.D., Young Ree Kim, M.D., Sae Am Song, M.D., Joseph Jeong, M.D., Young Uh, M.D., Yu Kyung Kim, M.D., Dongeun Yong, M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., Sunjoo Kim, M.D., Young Ah Kim, M.D., Kyeong Seob Shin, M.D., Seok Hoon Jeong, M.D., Namhee Ryoo, M.D., and Jeong Hwan Shin, M.D.. Ann Lab Med 2023;43:45-54. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2023.43.1.45

Park DC, et al. Ann Lab Med. 2019 Nov;39(6):537-544. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2019.39.6.537

Introduction.Streptococcus pneumoniaeis an important pathogen with high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of common serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility ofS. pneumoniaein Korea.Methods. A total of 378 pneumococcal isolates were collected from 2008 through 2014. We analyzed the serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility for both invasive and noninvasive isolates.Results. Over the 7 years, 3 (13.5%), 35 (10.8%), 19A (9.0%), 19F (6.6%), 6A (6.1%), and 34 (5.6%) were common serotypes/serogroups. The vaccine coverage rates of PCV7, PCV10, PCV13, and PPSV23 were 21.4%, 23.3%, 51.9%, and 62.4% in all periods. The proportions of serotypes 19A and 19F decreased and nonvaccine serotypes increased between 2008 and 2010 and 2011 and 2014. Of 378S. pneumoniaeisolates, 131 (34.7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) and serotypes 19A and 19F were predominant. The resistance rate to levofloxacin was significantly increased (7.2%).Conclusion. We found changes of pneumococcal serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility during the 7 years after introduction of the first pneumococcal vaccine. It is important to continuously monitor pneumococcal serotypes and their susceptibilities.

Si Hyun Kim, Ph.D., Gyung-Hye Sung, Ph.D., Eun Hee Park, Ph.D., In Yeong Hwang, Ph.D., Gyu Ri Kim, Ph.D., Sae Am Song, M.D., Hae Kyung Lee, M.D., Young Uh, M.D., Young Ah Kim, M.D., Seok Hoon Jeong, M.D., Jong Hee Shin, M.D., Kyeong Seob Shin, M.D., Jaehyeon Lee, M.D., Joseph Jeong, M.D., Young Ree Kim, M.D., Dongeun Yong, M.D., Miae Lee, M.D., Yu Kyung Kim, M.D., Nam Hee Ryoo, M.D., Seungok Lee, M.D., Jayoung Kim, M.D., Sunjoo Kim, M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., and Jeong Hwan Shin, M.D.. Ann Lab Med 2022;42:268-73. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2022.42.2.268

Salmonella is a major pathogen causing foodborne infections in humans. Salmonella isolates are identified using biochemical and serological tests, including automated systems such as the VITEK2 system. However, there are few reports on Salmonella identification using VITEK MS. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of MALDI-TOF VITEK MS for Salmonella identification. A total of 1389 Salmonella isolates were identified using VITEK MS ver3.0 or ver3.2. All Salmonella isolates were confirmed by serotyping using the Kauffmann-White scheme, and the results were compared with the VITEK MS results. A total of 1389 Salmonella isolates, including 66 serotypes, were correctly identified at the genus level by VITEK MS. However, these systems failed to correctly identify typhoidal Salmonella. Among the five Salmonella enterica ssp. diarizonae isolates, only one was correctly identified, whereas one and three isolates were partially identified and misidentified, respectively. On the other hand, the VITEK2 system successfully identified all typhoidal Salmonella (Typhi and Paratyphi A) and Salmonella enterica ssp. diarizonae isolates. VITEK MS was useful for identifying Salmonella species isolated from clinical specimens; however, additional biochemical tests, such as the VITEK2 System, should be considered to accurately identify Salmonella ser. Typhi, and Salmonella ser. Paratyphi A.

Sewhan Um, Jaeyoung Her, Si Hyun Kim, Ph.D., Sae Am Song, M.D., Ph.D., Young Nam Kim, M.D., Ph.D., and Jeong Hwan Shin, M.D., Ph.D.. Ann Lab Med 2022;42:478-81. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2022.42.4.478