Detection of AmpC-β lactamase Enzymes by AmpC DiscTest

Abstract

Microbes have many mechanisms of unresponsiveness to antimicrobial agents that may arise in them over months or years.  Among them degradation of antibiotics by enzymes is one of the common methods of bacterial resistance particularly in Enterobacteriacea.^1,2 At least 400 different types of β-lactamases from clinical isolates have been discovered. Broadly they are of three types: extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs), Amp C β-lactamases and carbapenemases. AmpC type beta lactamases are cephalosporinases and hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins, except the fourth-generation compounds and monobactams.^3,4,5 JMS 2014;17(2):74-75