title: Production of metal dependent beta-lactamases by clinical strains of Bacteroides fragilis isolated before 1987.
abstract: Five imipenem resistant clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis isolated before 1987, were examined to determine if they produced metallo-beta-lactamases. The beta-lactamases produced by the clinical isolates all focused as doublet bands at pl 4.8/4.9, characteristic of the B. fragilis CfiA type metallo-beta-lactamase. Each enzyme had a similar substrate profile and were inhibited by EDTA and activated with zinc sulphate. The sequence of the metallo-beta-lactamase gene from B. fragilis ED262 was determined and confirmed to be a CfiA type beta-lactamase. Consequently, the five isolates examined probably produce a CfiA type beta-lactamase, suggesting that metallo-beta-lactamases were present before the widespread use of carbapenems.
authors.affiliation: SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Betchworth, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khushi
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fosberry
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reading
mesh_terms: D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015378:Imipenem / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D013845:Thienamycins; D015378:Imipenem; D001618:beta-Lactamases