Detection of beta-lactamase activity with nitrocefin of multiple strains of various microbial genera

• Published in: Acta microbiologica Hungarica Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 133
• Main Author: Uri, J V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hungary 1985
• Subjects: Bacteria - enzymology; beta-Lactamases - metabolism; Cephalosporins; Enterobacter - enzymology; Enterococcus faecalis - enzymology; Escherichia coli - enzymology; Haemophilus influenzae - enzymology; Indicators and Reagents; Klebsiella pneumoniae - enzymology; Neisseria gonorrhoeae - enzymology; Proteus - enzymology; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - enzymology; Serratia marcescens - enzymology; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0231-4622

The production or presence of beta-lactamase(s) was studied by the rapid method utilizing the chromogenic cephalosporin compound nitrocefin in cultures of multiple strains belonging to the same genus as well as groups of microorganisms. The genera were: Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, indole-positive Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., Serratia marcescens, rare Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. With this sensitive and rapid assay for beta-lactamase, it was possible to verify and separate the beta-lactamase producing cultures from the non-producers and include the useful strains to on-going research, such as beta-lactam screen, beta-lactamase inhibitory study and lytic properties of beta-lactams. The data also provide evidence for the possible role of beta-lactamase(s) in the physiology, biochemistry and pathogenicity of bacterial strains. The nitrocefin method was found a very specific and extremely useful procedure for the detection and estimation of beta-lactamase activity.