Shamim Mumtaz, Mumtaz Ahmad, Irum Aftab.
Extended-spectrum B-lactamases (ESBLS) in enteric Gram negative rods.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;2(3):180-2.

Background: B-lactams are the most widely used antibiotics and b-lactamases are the greatest source of resistance to them. An understanding of b-lactamase detection & identification therefore is very useful in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out during the year 2004 at Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, to determine the prevalence of Extended-Spectrum b-lactamases Producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLPE) among nosocomial and community-acquired isolates. Total cases studied were 343. Results: Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) in the enteric gram negative rods was found to be 25.9 % in various isolates. Highest prevalence was seen in Escherichia coli (46.07%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.0 %.) & Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Aeromonas (4.49 %), Serratia (2.25%), Providencia & Acinetobacter (1.12% each). Conclusion: The detection of ESBLs is important and once one of these enzymes is found, the use of broad spectrum cephalosporins should be avoided. For the treatment of such infections Cephamycins, Carbapenems or B-lactam - b-lactamase inhibitor combinations should are indicated.

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