Rapid detection of beta-lactamase production including carbapenemase by thin layer chromatography.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To develop a rapid and simple method that can identify the presence of ß-lactamases in clinical isolates and samples, and determine their activity on different types of ß-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems, within one hour. METHODS: In this study, we describe a thin layer chromatography-based method for rapid detection of ß-lactamases including carbapenemases. The method relies on the examination of changes in the migration rate of ß-lactams in chromatography, due to degradation by ß-lactamase enzymes. A total of 44 isolates, 29 carbapenemase-producers and 15 non-carbapenemase-producers, were screened by this method. RESULTS: The method has proven to be able to distinguish ß-lactamases as carbapenemase or non-carbapenemase producing strains with high sensitivity in one hour. CONCLUSIONS: The method developed, provides information about the production of ß-lactamases by bacteria and ß-lactam drugs inactivated by these enzymes, including carbapenems. This new method may play an important role in guiding antimicrobial treatment, especially in critically ill patients infected bacteria producing ß-lactamases.