title: beta-Lactamases- the Threat Renews.
abstract: Beta-lactamases are the greatest single source of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. For over 60 years, clinicians have seen a pattern whereby useful new beta-lactam analogues are introduced but then select for new beta-lactamases that cause resistance. Thus, penicillin G was undermined by swift accumulation of staphylococcal penicillinase, ampicillin by TEM-1 enzyme and modern oxymino cephalosporins by "extended-spectrum" beta-lactamases. Tony Fink's work contributed greatly to our understanding of the mechanisms and active site function of beta-lactamases and this knowledge now informs the search for new beta-lactams and beta-lactamase inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring and Reference Laboratory, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, 61 Colindale Avenue, NW9 5EQ, London, UK. david.livermore@hpa.org.uk
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Livermore
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D015195:Drug Design; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases