title: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESbLs): characterization, epidemiology and detection.
abstract: Beta-lactamases of Enterobacteriaceae are the most important mechanism of resistance against beta-lactam drugs. Two types of beta-lactamases can confer resistance against 3rd generation cephalosporins. Chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases are inducible and are not inhibited by clavulanic acid. Resistance due to these enzymes is non-transferable. The 2nd type of enzyme is plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases, which are inhibited by clavulanic acid. These enzymes are more important clinically as these can be transferred between various species of Enterobacteriaceae. These enzymes are called extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been responsible for numerous outbreaks of infection throughout the world and pose challenging infection control issues. Antibacterial choice is often complicated by multi-resistance. ESBLs can confer resistance against all beta-lactam drugs except carbapenems and cephamycins. Nursing home patients may be an important reservoir of ESBL-containing multiple antibiotic-resistant organisms. Use of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics and probably poor infection control practices may facilitate spread of this plasmid-mediated resistance. In addition to known populations at risk, ambulatory patients with chronic conditions represent another patient population that may harbor ESBL-producing organisms. Various methods can be used for detection of ESBLs in the laboratory. These tests include double disc diffusion test, Vitek ESBL test, E Tests, MIC Determination, genetic method, and isoelectric focusing (IEF).
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. aamerali2000@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hameed
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases