Sutherland R
Scott Med J. 1982;27 Spec No.:S3-9. doi: 10.1177/00369330820270S102.
The resistance of bacteria to beta-lactam antibiotics, penicillins or cephalosporins, is usually associated with the production of beta-lactamase enzymes which are capable of inactivating these compounds. A number of recent surveys have reported a significant increase in the frequency of isolation of beta-lactamase-producing strains of bacteria from infections in general practice in the United Kingdom. A wide variety of bacterial beta-lactamases with different properties have been described and it is now recognised that most bacteria produce a chromosomally-mediated beta-lactamase which is characteristic of each species. In addition, Gram-negative bacteria may acquire beta-lactamases which are mediated by plasmids which are readily transferable by cell to cell contact. Schemes for the classification of bacterial beta-lactamases are outlined.
细菌对β-内酰胺抗生素（青霉素或头孢菌素）的耐药性通常与β-内酰胺酶的产生有关，这些酶能够使这些化合物失活。最近的一些调查报道，在英国的全科医疗中，从感染中分离出产生β-内酰胺酶的细菌菌株的频率显著增加。已经描述了多种具有不同特性的细菌β-内酰胺酶，现在人们认识到大多数细菌产生一种由染色体介导的β-内酰胺酶，这是每个物种的特征。此外，革兰氏阴性菌可能获得由质粒介导的β-内酰胺酶，这些质粒很容易通过细胞间接触进行转移。文中概述了细菌β-内酰胺酶的分类方案。
