Книга: Beta-Lactamase: Enzyme, Antibiotic resistance, Beta- lactam antibiotic, Penicillin, Cephalosporin, Cephamycin, Carbapenem, Ertapenem, Antibiotic, Beta- lactam, Gram- positive bacteria, Gut flora

Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by some bacteria and are responsible for their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins (are relatively resistant to beta-lactamase), cephamycins, and carbapenems (ertapenem). These antibiotics have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a beta-lactam. The lactamase enzyme breaks that ring open, deactivating the molecule's antibacterial properties.n Beta-lactam antibiotics are typically used to treat a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Beta-lactamases produced by gram-negative organisms are usually secreted. Beta-lactamase may be clinically beneficial when orally administered to preserve the natural intestinal flora during the parenteral administration of antibiotics. 'This could provide protection against a broad range of nosocomial pathogens,' per Dr. Usha Stiefel at the 47th annual Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.