Les bêta-lactamases chez les bacilles à Gram-négatif : que de nouveautés en 15 ans !

Among gram-negative bacteria, the role of β-lactamases for natural and acquired resistance is essential and more and more complex. Numerous corresponding genes located in chromosome, plasmid, integron or CR (common region) were cloned and sequenced showing a very high diversity among this type of inactivating enzymes. A lot of genetic answers were developed by bacteria after introduction of new drugs such as β-lactam antibiotics. Such adaptability of bacterial world must lead to limit the abuse of prescriptions and a better use of drugs.