Abstract:
β-lactam antibiotics are important antibiotics which are used for
treatment of staphylococcal infections. The objective of this study was
to assess β-lactamase produced by staphylococci isolated from clinical
specimens.
A total of 100 isolates of staphylococci were obtained from Omderman
Teaching Hospital. The isolates were rechecked by Gram's stain and
biochemical tests. Presence of β-lactamases in these isolates were
evaluated by iodometric and chromogenic cephalosporin tests.
Staphylococci were found to be 97 Staphylococcus aureus and 3
Staphylococcus epidermidis. Study on assessment of β-lactamases
produced by these isolates revealed that out of 100 staphylococci, 78
(78%) and 92 (92%) were β-lactamase producers when screened by
iodometric
respectively.The study concluded that the chromogenic cephalosporin method is
considered as golden standard method for detection of β-lactamase
enzyme in staphylococci. Further studies with other Staphylococcus
.species are required to validate these results
