Objective: To study the inducibility of Amp C enzyme of Enterobacrter cloacae and its susceptibility to enzyme inhibitor.
Methods: The in vitro activities of the fourth generation cephalosporins-cefepime, the third generation cephalosporins-cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime combined with beta-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam against 10 strains of ceftazidime resistant Enterobacter cloacae selected from the hospitals was studied with agar two fold dilution method. The inducibility of beta-lactam antibiotics in common use clinically to Amp C enzyme and the inhibitory action of 3 inhibitors to Amp C enzyme were studied with ultraviolet spectrophotometry and RTPCR.
Results: Sulbactam can not enhance the activity of ceftazidime against Enterobacter cloacae. Cefepime has a strong activity against ceftazidime resistant Enterobacter cloacae. Imipenem has a strong inductive action to Amp C enzyme. Ro481220 has a strong inhibitory action to Amp C enzyme.
Conclusion: Infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae producing Amp C enzyme can be treated by cefepime.