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β-lactamases

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Microbiology

Definition

β-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that hydrolyze the β-lactam ring of β-lactam antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. They are a major mechanism of bacterial resistance to these drugs.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. β-lactamases break down antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins.
  2. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) can hydrolyze a wide range of β-lactam antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins.
  3. The presence of β-lactamase genes can be detected through molecular techniques like PCR.
  4. Inhibitors like clavulanic acid are often used in conjunction with β-lactam antibiotics to counteract the effect of β-lactamases.
  5. Bacteria producing carbapenemases, a type of β-lactamase, show resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, which are usually last-resort drugs.

Review Questions

  • What type of antibiotics do β-lactamases target and hydrolyze?
  • How do extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) differ from regular β-lactamases?
  • What is one method used to detect the presence of β-lactamase genes in bacteria?

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