cefalosporinázy

Cefalosporinázy, also known as cephalosporinases, are a class of enzymes belonging to the beta-lactamase family. These enzymes are produced by bacteria and are responsible for hydrolyzing the beta-lactam ring found in cephalosporin antibiotics, rendering them inactive. This enzymatic degradation is a primary mechanism by which bacteria develop resistance to cephalosporins, a widely used group of antibiotics.

The discovery of cefalosporinázy in the 1960s coincided with the emergence of bacterial resistance to early cephalosporin drugs. These enzymes work by catalyzing the opening of the strained beta-lactam ring, a crucial structural feature for the antibiotic's mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Different bacterial species can produce various types of cefalosporinázy, each with a potentially different substrate specificity, meaning they may be more effective against certain types of cephalosporins.

The clinical significance of cefalosporinázy lies in its role in treatment failures. Infections caused by bacteria producing these enzymes are often resistant to cephalosporin antibiotics, necessitating the use of alternative drug classes. The prevalence and spread of cefalosporinázy-producing bacteria pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings, contributing to the global issue of antimicrobial resistance. Research efforts are ongoing to develop new beta-lactamase inhibitors that can be co-administered with cephalosporins to overcome this resistance mechanism.