title: Evolution and dissemination of beta-lactamases accelerated by generations of beta-lactam antibiotics.
abstract: beta-Lactamases are the principal mechanism of bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. In recent years the number and variety of new beta-lactamases detected has risen at an alarming rate, apparently in response to the clinical use of novel classes of beta-lactam antibiotics. This paper reviews the structure and evolution of beta-lactamases in an attempt to understand the pressures that have contributed to their emergence.
authors.affiliation: Miriam Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Medeiros
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D015394:Molecular Structure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases