Antibiotic Resistance and Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors

Beta-Lactam Resistance and Inhibitors

• Almost every type of resistant strain has at least one beta-lactam hydrolysing enzyme, often found in conjunction with other mechanisms of resistance.
• Beta-lactamase inhibitors can reduce the concentration of beta-lactamase enzymes, allowing beta-lactam antibiotics to fully exert their antibacterial properties.
• Different classes of beta-lactamase inhibitors have been created, including third-generation non-b-lactam-type penicillins (e.g., potassium clavulanate, tazobactam, and sulbactam).

Risks and Consequences

• Non-discriminatory activity of beta-lactamase inhibitors can disrupt the beneficial community of commensal bacteria in the human body, increasing the risk of associated infections with resistant strains.
• The rapid deterioration of the problem has prompted healthcare professionals, governments, and academic institutions to launch campaigns for responsible antibiotic prescription.

Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

• Beta-lactams are commonly used to treat bacterial infections due to their efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity.
• They are typically prescribed to treat respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and gastrointestinal infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Different varieties of beta-lactam antibiotics have specific chemical side chains (R-groups) that make them well-suited for developing new generations of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.