title: Beta-lactamase activity in anaerobic bacteria.
abstract: A diverse group of anaerobic bacteria representing a spectrum of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics was studied to characterize their beta-lactamase activity and relate it to resistance. The Bacteroides fragilis organisms had moderate resistance and produced a cephalosporinase with low activity. The Clostridium ramosum was intermediate in resistance and had intermediate, inducible beta-lactamase activity. The B. clostridiiformis organism was highly resistant, produced a potent inducible penicillinase, and had a barrier to the penicillin substrates. Only the beta-lactamase of C. ramosum fit Richmond's classification (class IV). Although there was a rough correlation between beta-lactamase activity and antibiotic resistance, other mechanisms are undoubtedly involved in determining resistance levels.
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000201:enzymology*; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000201:enzymology*; D002510:Cephalosporinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003013:Clostridium / Q000201:enzymology*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D010405:Penicillinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D000581:Amidohydrolases; D002510:Cephalosporinase; D010405:Penicillinase