title: Beta-lactamase detection in nosocomial bacterial pathogens in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: Beta-lactamase production was investigated in 1033 bacterial pathogens--262 gram-positive bacteria, 482 Enterobacteriaceae, 289 non-fermenting bacilli. These were isolated from nosocomial infections in paediatric patients. Beta-lactamase was detected using chromogenic cephalosporin and starch paper methods. More than 80% of the isolates produced the enzyme, which was not detected in enterococci and streptococci. There was no appreciable difference ([symbol: see text] 2 = 5.31, P > 0.05) in the number of Beta-lactamase producers obtained using the two methods. Great caution must be exercised in the therapeutic use of Beta-lactam drugs for nosocomial bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos.
authors.forename: C N F
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kesah
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Odugbemi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases