title: Beta-lactamase producing Haemophili occurrence in clinical materials and carriage in healthy children.
abstract: Beta-lactamase production was investigated in 126 H. influenzae and 15 H. parainfluenzae strains isolated in various infections. In H. influenzae the rate of beta-lactamase positive strains was 5.6%, in non-encapsulated strains it was higher (9.7%) than in capsule bearing strains (3.1%). Among beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae strains biotype II was predominant, whereas biotype I prevailed in beta-lactamase positive strains of H. parainfluenzae. A study undertaken in 101 children of a day-care nursery revealed 16.8% carriers of beta-lactamase producing Haemophili. Among the isolated strains we found the double number of H. parainfluenzae than H. influenzae strains showing beta-lactamase activity. This result supports the hypothesis of H. parainfluenzae being the reservoir of resistances plasmids in Haemophili.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012703:Serotyping; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases