Resistance to β-Lactam Antibiotics in Anaerobic Bacteria

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Abstract
The known mechanisms of β-lactam resistance in anaerobic bacteria involve production of β-lactamases, alteration of penicillin-binding proteins, and blocked penetration of β-lactam antibiotics through bacterial outer membranes. The most important factor in β-lactam resistance is production of β-lactamases,which have been found in various Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Clostridium species. β-Lactam resistance in Bacteroides fragilis is commonly mediated by β-lactamases that are mainly cephalosporinase in character. B. fragilis strains can also produce penicillinases and enzymes inactivating cefoxitin and imipenem. The non-fragilis species of Bacteroides produce β-lactamases that are mainly penicillinase in character. Penicillinases are also isolated from Fusobacterium nucleatum. Among the clostridia, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium clostridioforme, and Clostridium ramosum have been shown to produce penicillinases.

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