| beta-lactam | <pharmacology> A class of broad spectrum antibiotics that are structurally and pharmacologically related to the penicillins and cephalosporins. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| beta-lactam resistance | Nonsusceptibility of an organism to the action of the beta-lactam antibiotics. (12 Dec 1998) |
| beta-lactamase | <enzyme> An enzyme produced by some bacteria, which causes the breakdown of the active form of some penicillin antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. It causes the hydrolysis of a beta-lactam (as penicillin to penicilloic acid); found in most strains of staphylococcus bacteria that are naturally resistant to penicillin. Synonym: cephalosporinase, penicillinase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta-lactamase inhibitor | <pharmacology> Drugs such as clavulanic acid, which are used to inhibit bacterial beta-lactamases; often used with a penicillin or cephalosporin to overcome drug resistance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta-lactamases | <enzyme> 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. Chemical name: beta-Lactamhydrolase Registry number: EC 3.5.2.6 (12 Dec 1998) |