title: Comparative stability of meropenem against beta-lactamases from Bacteroides spp.
abstract: The activity of meropenem was similar to that of imipenem against 88 clinical isolates of Bacteroides spp., including 28 non-fragilis strains. Four of the isolates were able to hydrolyse cephamycins or penems. Investigation of beta-lactamases from these strains and 10 laboratory stock culture Bacteroides showed that meropenem and imipenem were degraded at a similar rate by cell-free preparations of these enzymes. Some of these strains were able to completely hydrolyse the carbapenems within 2 h. Despite this rapid hydrolysis, MICs of meropenem and imipenem for some of the strains remained within the susceptible range as judged by agar dilution titration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenwood
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006868:Hydrolysis; D015378:Imipenem / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D015378:Imipenem; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077731:Meropenem