β-lactamase activity in human pus

Richard E. Bryant, Abdel L. Rashad, Joyce A. Mazza, Dianne Hammond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

110 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pus was obtained from patients with polymicrobial intraabdominal abscesses or polymi-crobial empyema. Physical and chemical characteristics of 12 specimens were examined, and bacterial isolates were enumerated. Pus supernatant of six specimens rapidly inactivated penicillin, cephalothin, and cefazolin. Carbenicillin and ticarcillin were similarly degraded by supernatant of certain pus specimens. Cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin were not appreciably inactivated by pus supernatant. Degradation of penicillin and cephalosporin congeners in pus was due to the presence of β-lactamase, as shown by chemical interaction with nitrocefin, chromatography, and inhibition by the β-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid. Pus supernatant containing β-lactamase activity reduced the bactericidal activity of carbenicillin against Bacteroides fragilis in whole pus in an abscess model in vitro. Bactericidal activity of clindamycin or cefoxitin was not impaired in pus containing β-lactamase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)594-601
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume142
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1980

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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