beta-Lactamases- the Threat Renews

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Abstract

Beta-lactamases are the greatest single source of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. For over 60 years, clinicians have seen a pattern whereby useful new beta-lactam analogues are introduced but then select for new beta-lactamases that cause resistance. Thus, penicillin G was undermined by swift accumulation of staphylococcal penicillinase, ampicillin by TEM-1 enzyme and modern oxymino cephalosporins by "extended-spectrum" beta-lactamases. Tony Fink's work contributed greatly to our understanding of the mechanisms and active site function of beta-lactamases and this knowledge now informs the search for new beta-lactams and beta-lactamase inhibitors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)397-400
Number of pages4
JournalCurrent Protein and Peptide Science
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • Bacterial Infections
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Models, Chemical
  • Penicillins
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • World Health
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-Lactams

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