The β-lactamase activity of the vaginal flora of asymptomatic pregnant women

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Abstract
Two-hundred and twenty-nine isolates of different bacterial species were recovered from the vagina of 54 asymptomatic pregnant women. Fully or moderately resistant isolates were tested forβ-lactamase production by the chromogenic cephalosporin method, the phenol red method and microbiological assay. β-lactamase-producing organisms were present in 64% of patients. Twenty-four per cent carried multiple β-lactamase-producing bacterial species. Results suggest that two tests should be employed for the detection of β-lactamase, one demonstrating the hydrolysis of penicillins, the other of cephalosporins.