Beta-lactam




 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A beta-lactam ring (β-lactam) or penam is a resistant against beta-lactam antibiotics by expressing beta-lactamase. Included in this class of antibiotics are penicillins and cephalosporins.

Beta-lactam resistance

Because of the popularity of beta-lactam drugs, certain bacteria have been able to develop counter-measures to traditional drug therapies. An enzyme called beta-lactamase is present in many different types of bacteria, which serves to 'break' the beta lactam ring, which effectively nullifies the antibiotic's effectiveness.

Response to beta-lactam resistance

As a response to bacterial resistance to beta-lactam drugs, there are drugs, such as clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. The clavulanic acid is designed to overwhelm all beta-lactamase enzymes, bind irreversibly to them, and effectively serve as an antagonist so that the amoxicillin is not affected by the beta-lactamase enzymes.

Secondary beta-lactam drug resistance

As a response to decreased efficacy of beta-lactamase, some bacteria have changed the proteins that beta-lactam antibiotics bind, the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). Since the PBPs no longer recognize the beta-lactams, the antibiotics are essentially useless. This is the mechanism behind the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

See also

 
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