title: The incidence of beta-lactamase-producing pathogens.
abstract: In addition to the bacteria which naturally are able to enzymatically inactive penicillins and/or cephalosporins, a large number of species may develop this ability through mutation, acquisition of plasmids, or insertion of transposons. Characterization of the beta-lactamase activity of various pathogens has shown that a wide variety of enzymes exists and that new ones continue to evolve. The distribution of the genes for the numerous beta-lactamases vary according to geographic location and pathogen. Recently beta-lactamase inhibitors (sulbactam and clavulanic acid) have become available which, in combination with different beta-lactam antibiotics, expand the activity of those hydrolyzable antibiotics to pathogens producing beta-lactamases. The epidemiology of resistant pathogens and of the beta-lactamase genes that make them resistant are important factors in evaluating the role of these beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Joseph, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kitzis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gutmann
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases