Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase: Mode of Action, Classification, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance among infectious pathogens is emerging world-wide especially in hospitals and community setting causing variety of infections. These bacteria adopt various strategies to counter the effects of antibiotics and their impact on acquisition in all geographical area has enhanced burden in health care units. Hence a thorough investigation of their prevalence with expeditious diagnostic testing and the feasible modification is required for discovery and design of new antimicrobial agents. Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that breakdown the widely used antibiotics called the beta-lactams. Production of Extended-Spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) by infections organisms highlights the struggle for new drug development. Clinicians, microbiologists, infection control practitioners, and hospital epidemiologists are concerned about ESBL-producing bacteria because of the increasing incidence of infections, the limitations of effective antimicrobial drug therapy, and adverse patient outcomes. The present review contributes to the increased understanding of the epidemiology of ESBL producing organisms, resistance mechanism, resistance genes/ enzymes involved their types, diagnosis and treatment.