A perspective on the present contribution of beta-lactamases to bacterial resistance with particular reference to induction of beta-lactamase and its clinical significance.
Resistance of bacteria to beta-lactam antibiotics has become a serious problem in the past several decades. Virtually all Staphylococcus aureus, many Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, many Enterobacteriaceae, many Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteroides species possess beta-lactamases which hydrolyze to varying degree penems, penams, carbapenems, cephems, cephamycins and monobactams. The most common plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase is the so-called TEM beta-lactamase (Richmond Sykes type IIIa) which exists in Haemophilus, Neisseria and many of the Enterobacteriaceae. Techniques to overcome this resistance have been the development of beta-lactamase stable compounds and of beta-lactamase inhibitors. However, inducible chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases in species such as Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Citrobacter and some Serratia have become an increasing problem with more widespread use of beta-lactamase stable cephalosporins.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase / Q000378:metabolism; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D010957:Plasmids; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D047090:beta-Lactams
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D001618:beta-Lactamases