Detection of gram-negative β-lactamase producing pathogens in the clinical lab.
Pathogens that produce extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases may appear falsely susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics in the laboratory. Infected patients may be treated with inappropriate antibiotics if laboratories do not perform accurate tests to detect these resistance mechanisms. Furthermore the resistant pathogens may spread undetected to amplify the therapeutic and infection control challenge. This review makes a case for why and how laboratories should perform tests to detect β-lactamase-mediated resistance in gram-negative pathogens.
Center for Research in Antiinfectives and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. kstaac@creighton.edu
Kenneth S
KS
Thomson
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases