Abstract
Documented ampicillin treatment failures of systemic Haemophilus influenzae type b infections have been associated with synthesis of a TEM-1 β-lactamase. A patient with H. influenzae type b meningitis in whom ampicillin treatment failed is described; the isolate was β-lactamase-negative according to the cell suspension chromogenic cephalosporin assay. The false-negative result occurred in a strain which elaborated a novel, plasmid-mediated β-lactamase with charateristics which distinguish it from TEM-1 β-lactamase. Clinically important ampicillin resistance in H. influenzae type b occurs by mechanisms other than by synthesis of TEM-1 β-lactamase. Diagnostic microbiology laboratories should perform antibiotic susceptibility tests in addition to tests for β-lactamase production.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1008-1010 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | The Lancet |
Volume | 318 |
Issue number | 8254 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 7 1981 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine