OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of extended spectrum b-lactamase at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to compare the ability of the disc diffusion, double disc potentiation methods and the extended-spectrum b-lactamase E test to detect exended-spectrum b-lactamase among enterobacteriaceae. METHODS This study was undertaken during the time period period...

Enterobacteriaceae species are important human pathogens while increasing number of antibiotic resistant strains are detected worldwide. The most common antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is observed against beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides while recently resistance to polymyxins has also appeared. Beta-lactam resistance is mainly conferred by beta-lactamases, capable to...

The in vivo efficacy of piperacillin in combination with the penem inhibitor BLI-489 was determined using acute lethal systemic infections in mice. On the basis of preliminary results with various ratios, a dosing ratio of 8:1 was found to be optimal for retention of enhanced efficacy. Piperacillin-BLI-489 dosed at an 8:1 ratio was efficacious against murine infections caused by class A (includ...

One hundred four Enterobacter isolates were tested by standard CLSI disk diffusion methods for detecting extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and with cefepime-clavulanate disk combinations. SHV-12 was produced by 8.7% of isolates. The cefepime-clavulanate combination provided 88% sensitivity and 91% specificity for the detection of SHV-12 ESBL.

Genes encoding the CMY-2, CTX-M-14, and SHV-12 beta-lactamases were detected in three of five Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples from healthy chickens which showed resistance or diminished susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. A -42 mutation at the promoter region of the ampC gene was detected in the other two isolates.

During 1990 to 1998, we identified multidrug-resistant isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis in southern Italy. Plasmids containing class I integrons and codifying for synthesis of extended- spectrum beta-lactamases were detected. Active surveillance for resistance to antimicrobial agents is needed to guard against the possible spread of resistant clones.

A 269-kilobase conjugative plasmid, pK29, from a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain was sequenced. The plasmid harbors multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, including those encoding CMY-8 AmpC-type and CTX-M-3 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in the common backbone of IncHI2 plasmids. Mechanisms for dissemination of the resistance genes are highlighted in comparative genomic analyses.