Evolution of β-lactams resistance in Gram-negative bacteria in Tunisia

Crit Rev Microbiol. 2011 Aug;37(3):167-77. doi: 10.3109/1040841X.2011.552880. Epub 2011 Mar 26.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major health problem worldwide, but marked variations in the resistance profiles of bacterial pathogens are found between countries and in different patient settings. In Tunisia, the strikingly high prevalence of resistance of bacteria to penicillins and cephalorosporins drugs including fourth generation in clinical isolates of Gram negative bacteria has been reported. During 30 years, the emerging problem of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates is substantial, and some unique enzymes have been found. Recently, evidence that Gram-negative bacteria are resistant to nearly all available antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, have emerged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Tunisia / epidemiology
  • beta-Lactams / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactams