Assessment of β-lactamase in Staphylococci Isolated from Clinical Specimens

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