beta-lactamase
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β-lac·ta·mase
(lak'tă-mās),An enzyme produced by many species of bacteria that disrupts the four-membered β-lactam ring of penicillin and cephalosporin groups of antibiotics, destroying their antimicrobial activity. The ability of an organism to produce a β-lactamase may be chromosomal and constitutive or a plasmid-associated acquired property.
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beta-lactamase
(bā′tə-lăk′tə-mās′, -māz′, bē′-)n.
Any of various enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin, found in many antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
be·ta-lac·ta·mase
(bā'tă lak'tā-mās)An enzyme produced by many species of bacteria that disrupts the four-membered β-lactam ring of penicillin and cephalosporin groups of antibiotics, destroying their antimicrobial activity.
Synonym(s): penicillinase.
Synonym(s): penicillinase.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012