CHARACTERIZATION OF AN SHV-5 RELATED EXTENDED BROAD-SPECTRUM BETA-LACTAMASE IN ENTEROBACTERIACEAE FROM WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

Among 209 isolates of aminoglycoside resistant Enterobacteriaceae isol ated from patients attending the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Pert h, Western Australia between January 1985 and June 1991, 41 strains de monstrated additional resistance to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidi me and aztreonam. Significant synergy was demonstrable between these b eta-lactams and clavulanic acid against resistant strains. The beta-la ctamase was mediated by a 170 Kb self-transferring plasmid and identif ied as the SHV-5 type in isoelectric focusing (pl 8.2) and substrate h ydrolysis kinetic studies. The findings record the introduction of ext ended broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to Australia.