Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs): A Review

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 8 19
    By

    Arun Singha,

  • Bharti Minhas,

  • Naveen Minhas,

  1. Student, Department of Microbiology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
  3. Microbiologist, Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing Laboratory for Tuberculosis, Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Gram-negative bacteria produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), enzymes that play a crucial role in antibiotic resistance. These enzymes enable the bacteria to withstand a wide array of beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. The production of these enzymes, particularly by organisms, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, complicates treatment options for severe infections, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. ESBLs are primarily responsible for hydrolyzing extended-spectrum cephalosporins, while MBLs can hydrolyze carbapenems, often regarded as last-resort antibiotics. The genetic basis for these resistances is typically found on plasmids, facilitating their spread among bacterial populations. The detection of ESBL and MBL-producing bacteria in both clinical and environmental settings highlights the critical necessity for improved monitoring and infection control strategies to address the escalating issue of antibiotic resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance and the epidemiology of these enzymes is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies and public health interventions.

Keywords: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), Gram-negative bacteria, Antibiotics

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology ]

How to cite this article:
Arun Singha, Bharti Minhas, Naveen Minhas. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs): A Review. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2025; 15(02):8-19.
How to cite this URL:
Arun Singha, Bharti Minhas, Naveen Minhas. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs): A Review. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2025; 15(02):8-19. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjomv/article=2025/view=202410


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 15/01/2025
Accepted 28/02/2025
Published 28/02/2025
Publication Time 44 Days
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