Efflux Pump, the Masked Side of ß-Lactam Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates
2009

Efflux Pump and β-Lactam Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Sample size: 11 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Jean-Marie Pages, Jean-Philippe Lavigne, Véronique Leflon-Guibout, Estelle Marcon, Frédéric Bert, Latifa Noussair, Marie-Hélène Nicolas-Chanoine

Primary Institution: UMR-MD-1, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université de la Méditerranée, IFR88, Marseille, France

Hypothesis

Assessing the role of efflux pumps in the β-lactam resistance phenotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that efflux mechanisms significantly contribute to β-lactam susceptibility in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Supporting Evidence

  • Efflux pump inhibitors significantly decreased MICs of certain antibiotics.
  • Clinical isolates displayed a unique β-lactam resistance phenotype.
  • Restoration of antibiotic activity was observed with specific combinations of drugs.

Takeaway

Some bacteria can push out antibiotics, making them less effective. This study shows that a specific pump in Klebsiella pneumoniae helps it resist certain antibiotics.

Methodology

The study tested the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various β-lactams alone and with an efflux pump inhibitor on clinical isolates.

Limitations

The study focused on a limited number of clinical isolates from a single hospital.

Participant Demographics

The isolates were collected from patients with various infections, primarily from blood samples.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004817

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