title: Prevalence of beta-lactamase production in H. influenzae isolated in Latin America in 1998-1999: results of the LASER study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of beta-lactamase production in Haemophilus influenzae clinical isolates obtained throughout Latin America and the West Indies in 1998-1999. Isolates were collected from 15 centres (seven countries), identified by standard methods and grouped by patient age. The overall prevalence of beta-lactamase production was 17.8% (270/1513 isolates). The prevalence of beta-lactamase positive strains varied between countries, with the highest prevalence detected in Panama (23.4%, 29/124) and the lowest in the West Indies (10.5%, 4/38). beta-Lactamase-positive strains were more frequently isolated from children aged < or =3 years (22.0%) and from adults aged > or =65 years (26.5%). The high prevalence of beta-lactamase production found should be considered when choosing empirical antibiotic therapy where H. influenzae is suspected.
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline, Av Insurgentes Sur 1605. Piso 20, Col San Jose Insurgentes, CP 01020 Mexico City, Mexico. yolandav.lopez@gsk.com
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: López-Vidal
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palavecino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases