beta-lactamase
noun
be·ta-lac·ta·mase
ˈbā-tə-ˈlak-tə-ˌmās 
-ˌmāz
: any of various bacterial enzymes that inactivate the penicillins and cephalosporins by hydrolyzing them
When confronted with an antibiotic, a number of disease-causing bacteria will retaliate by making an enzyme called beta-lactamase …—
Diana Morgan and Terence Monmaney
Diana Morgan and Terence MonmaneyExamples of beta-lactamase in a Sentence
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His aim is currently fixed on beta-lactamase, an enzyme produced by some bacteria which effectively chops up and disables penicillin—a classic example of drug resistance.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
For example, clavulanic acid blocks an enzyme secreted by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (beta-lactamase) that inhibits the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics.13
Before Taking
Penicillin can be very effective if used appropriately.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
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Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
For example, clavulanic acid blocks an enzyme secreted by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (beta-lactamase) that inhibits the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics.13
Before Taking
Penicillin can be very effective if used appropriately.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near beta-lactamase
Cite this Entry
“Beta-lactamase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta-lactamase. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
beta-lactamase
noun
be·ta-lac·ta·mase
variants
also β-lactamase
: any of various bacterial enzymes that inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics (such as penicillin and cephalosporin) by hydrolyzing them
When confronted with an antibiotic, a number of disease-causing bacteria will retaliate by making an enzyme called beta-lactamase …—Diana Morgan and Terence Monmaney, Science
Diana Morgan and Terence Monmaney, ScienceThe most common mechanism of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is the bacterial production of an enzyme called β-lactamase, which breaks one of the antibiotic's chemical bonds, changing its structure and preventing it from inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase.—K. C. Nicolaou et al., Scientific American
K. C. Nicolaou et al., Scientific AmericanNote: Beta-lactamase was originally used only to refer to bacterial enzymes that inactivated penicillin. As additional types of beta-lactam antibiotics were introduced, other bacterial beta-lactamases were identified.
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