Cefalosporinázok

Cefalosporinázok is the Hungarian term for cephalosporinases. These are a type of beta-lactamase enzyme produced by bacteria that can hydrolyze (break down) the beta-lactam ring found in cephalosporin antibiotics. This hydrolysis inactivates the antibiotic, rendering it ineffective against the bacteria.

Cephalosporinases are a significant mechanism of bacterial resistance to cephalosporins, a broad class of antibiotics widely used to treat various infections. The genes encoding for cephalosporinases are often located on plasmids, which can be easily transferred between bacteria, contributing to the rapid spread of resistance.

There are different classes of cephalosporinases, with some exhibiting broader substrate specificity than others. For example, certain cephalosporinases can also hydrolyze penicillins, while others are more specific to cephalosporins. The emergence of extended-spectrum cephalosporinases (ESCs) has been a growing concern, as these enzymes can inactivate a wider range of cephalosporins, including newer generations.

Understanding cephalosporinases is crucial for the development of new antibiotics and strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Research in this area focuses on identifying novel inhibitors of these enzymes or developing antibiotics that are less susceptible to hydrolysis by cephalosporinases.