Title:Detection of Gram-Negative β-Lactamase Producing Pathogens in the Clinical Lab
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kenneth S. Thomson
Affiliation:
Keywords:
β-lactamase, ESBL, CTX-M, AmpC, carbapenemase, KPC, metallo-β-lactamase
Abstract: 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.
