Abstract
Beta-lactamase production was investigated in 1033 bacterial pathogens--262 gram-positive bacteria, 482 Enterobacteriaceae, 289 non-fermenting bacilli. These were isolated from nosocomial infections in paediatric patients. Beta-lactamase was detected using chromogenic cephalosporin and starch paper methods. More than 80% of the isolates produced the enzyme, which was not detected in enterococci and streptococci. There was no appreciable difference ([symbol: see text] 2 = 5.31, P > 0.05) in the number of Beta-lactamase producers obtained using the two methods. Great caution must be exercised in the therapeutic use of Beta-lactam drugs for nosocomial bacterial infections.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
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Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
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Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
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Child
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Cross Infection / drug therapy
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Cross Infection / epidemiology*
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Cross Infection / microbiology*
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Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
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Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology
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Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
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Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
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Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
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Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
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Hospitals, University
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Humans
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests / standards
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Nigeria / epidemiology
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Patient Selection
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Population Surveillance
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Pseudomonas Infections / drug therapy
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Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology
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Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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beta-Lactam Resistance*
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beta-Lactamases / analysis*
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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beta-Lactamases