DIFFERENT PHENOTYPIC METHODS FOR DETECTION OF ESBL PRODUCTION IN BACTERIA: A REVIEW

ESBLs are β - lactamases capable of conferring bacterial resis tance to the penicillins, first, second , and third - generatio n cephalosporins, and aztreonam (but not the cephamyci ns or carbapenems) but these are inhibited by - lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid. The ESBLs are typically plasmid - mediated enzymes , mostly produced by Gram negative bacteria. Extended spectru m beta lactamase (ESBLs) enzymes were first reported in Germany in 1983 from Klebsiella pneumonia . ESBL - producing Enterobacteriaceae have been responsible for numerous outbreaks of infection throughout the world and pose challeng ing infection control issue s . D ifferent phenotypic test for ESBL detection have been developed , which are easy to use and cost effective.