Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases

The definition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has expanded rapidly, in terms of both the number and the variety of enzymes. Bacteria bearing plasmidic ESBLs are spreading widely throughout the world. In Canada, the problem has grown less rapidly than in other parts of the world; howeve...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kevin R Forward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2006-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2006/726808
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850171677431824384
author Kevin R Forward
author_facet Kevin R Forward
author_sort Kevin R Forward
collection DOAJ
description The definition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has expanded rapidly, in terms of both the number and the variety of enzymes. Bacteria bearing plasmidic ESBLs are spreading widely throughout the world. In Canada, the problem has grown less rapidly than in other parts of the world; however, ESBLs still present a significant impediment to the treatment of serious infections with extendedspectrum cephalosporins and penicillins. Although SHV-derived enzymes were the primary concern in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these enzymes have been rapidly overtaken by the CTX-M family of ESBLs. There is no reason to believe that the problem of ESBLs will not expand rapidly in the face of intense antimicrobial pressure and lapses in infection control practices. Control should focus on early detection, accurate characterization, effective treatment and measures to prevent further spread.
format Article
id doaj-art-9a4644166e474213aee612cd0559a8a9
institution OA Journals
issn 1712-9532
language English
publishDate 2006-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-9a4644166e474213aee612cd0559a8a92025-08-20T02:20:13ZengWileyCanadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology1712-95322006-01-0117Suppl B6B8B10.1155/2006/726808Extended-Spectrum Beta-LactamasesKevin R Forward0Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaThe definition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has expanded rapidly, in terms of both the number and the variety of enzymes. Bacteria bearing plasmidic ESBLs are spreading widely throughout the world. In Canada, the problem has grown less rapidly than in other parts of the world; however, ESBLs still present a significant impediment to the treatment of serious infections with extendedspectrum cephalosporins and penicillins. Although SHV-derived enzymes were the primary concern in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these enzymes have been rapidly overtaken by the CTX-M family of ESBLs. There is no reason to believe that the problem of ESBLs will not expand rapidly in the face of intense antimicrobial pressure and lapses in infection control practices. Control should focus on early detection, accurate characterization, effective treatment and measures to prevent further spread.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2006/726808
spellingShingle Kevin R Forward
Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
title Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
title_full Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
title_fullStr Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
title_full_unstemmed Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
title_short Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases
title_sort extended spectrum beta lactamases
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2006/726808
work_keys_str_mv AT kevinrforward extendedspectrumbetalactamases