Beta-lactamase inhibitor
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A beta-lactamase inhibitor is a molecule used in conjunction with a beta-lactam antibiotic to extend its spectrum of activity.
Although beta-lactamase inhibitors have little antibiotic activity of their own,[1] they instead inhibit the activity of beta-lactamases, a family of enzymes that break the beta-lactam ring that allows penicillin-like antibiotics to work, thereby conferring bacterial resistance.
Some bacteria can produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases, or ESBLs, making the infection more difficult to treat and conferring additional resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems.[2]
Commonly used agents [edit]
- Clavulanic acid or clavulanate, usually combined with amoxicillin (Augmentin) or ticarcillin (Timentin)
- Sulbactam, usually combined with ampicillin (Unasyn)
- Tazobactam, usually combined with piperacillin (Zosyn)
Beta-lactamase producing bacteria [edit]
Bacteria that can produce beta-lactamases include, but are not limited to:
- Staphylococcus
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Citrobacter
- Morganella
References [edit]
- ^ "Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors". Department of Nursing of the Fort Hays State University College of Health and Life Sciences. October 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ Livermore, D. M. (1995). "β-Lactamases in Laboratory and Clinical Resistance" (pdf). Clinical Microbiology Review 8 (4): 557–584. PMC 172876. PMID 8665470.
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