Use of Intralactam for the early detection of staphylococcal beta-lactamase.

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Abstract
Use of an acidimetric paper method for the detection of .beta.-lactamase produced by Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was described. .beta.-Lactamase producing strains of these organisms produce the enzyme in easily detectable amounts. .beta.-Lactamase producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus produce little of the enzyme unless induced to do so by growth in subinhibitory concentrations of an inducing agent such as penicillin. Penicillinase-resistant semisynthetic penicillins such as methicillin are especially potent inducers of staphylococcal .beta.-lactamase. Detection of this induced .beta.-lactamase provides a guide to clinical resistance. The ability of commercially prepared Intralactam to detect staphylococcal .beta.-lactamase before and after induction of the enzyme was examined.