Biomaterial Database

Beta-lactamase producing anaerobic bacteria in the oropharynx and their clinical relevance. 1988

C E Nord, and A Heimdahl, and K Tunér

Department of Microbiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

The mechanisms of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in anaerobic bacteria are production of beta-lactamases, alteration of penicillin-binding proteins and blocked penetration of beta-lactam agents through the outer membranes. The most important factor in beta-lactam resistance is production of beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamases have been found in oropharyngeal strains of bacteroides and fusobacteria isolated from orofacial infections, peritonsillitis and recurrent tonsillitis. Clinical failures with penicillin therapy of these infections are reported in an increasing frequency and other antimicrobial agents such as clindamycin and metronidazole should be considered in the treatment of these failures.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009059	Mouth Diseases	Diseases involving the MOUTH.	Disease, Mouth,Diseases, Mouth,Mouth Disease
D009960	Oropharynx	The middle portion of the pharynx that lies posterior to the mouth, inferior to the SOFT PALATE, and superior to the base of the tongue and EPIGLOTTIS. It has a digestive function as food passes from the mouth into the oropharynx before entering ESOPHAGUS.	Oropharynxs
D010403	Penicillin Resistance	Nonsusceptibility of an organism to the action of penicillins.	Penicillin Resistances,Resistance, Penicillin,Resistances, Penicillin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001421	Bacteria, Anaerobic	Bacteria that can survive and grow in the complete, or nearly complete absence of oxygen.	Anaerobic Bacteria
D001618	beta-Lactamases	Enzymes found in many bacteria which catalyze the hydrolysis of the amide bond in the beta-lactam ring. Well known antibiotics destroyed by these enzymes are penicillins and cephalosporins.	beta-Lactamase,beta Lactamase,beta Lactamases
D013379	Substrate Specificity	A characteristic feature of enzyme activity in relation to the kind of substrate on which the enzyme or catalytic molecule reacts.	Specificities, Substrate,Specificity, Substrate,Substrate Specificities
D014069	Tonsillitis	Inflammation of the tonsils, especially the PALATINE TONSILS but the ADENOIDS (pharyngeal tonsils) and lingual tonsils may also be involved. Tonsillitis usually is caused by bacterial infection. Tonsillitis may be acute, chronic, or recurrent.	Tonsillitides