Rapid method for detecting beta-lactamase producing bacteria in clinical specimens.

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Abstract
The use of liquid media to detect the production of .beta.-lactamase by .beta.-lactamase producing organisms was compared with the conventional method of inoculation on to agar media. Pharyngeal cultures were obtained from 162 children treated with penicillin for acute tonsillitis. .beta.-Lactamase producing organism were detected within 72 h in 80 (49%) of the specimens inoculated on to agar media, while .beta.-lactamase production was found in 76 (47%) of the specimens after their incubation in liquid media for 24 h. Twenty-one of the cultures were positive only after anaerobic incubation while in liquid media while 9 were positive only after aerobic incubation. Incubation in liquid media enabled detection of .beta.-lactamase activity in 53 of the 76 (70%) specimens within 12 h.