beta-lactamase

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.

Synonym(s): cephalosporinase, lactamase, penicillinase (1)

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.

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.