[Gene examination methods (detection and genotyping of resistant genes)--metallo-beta-lactamase]

Metallo-beta-lactamases have a hydrolysing activity against various beta-lactams including carbapenems, and beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid and sulbactum. Infections caused by metallo-beta-lactamase producing gram-negative bacteria are becoming a serious problem in Japanese clinical settings despite the recent progress in medical technology. Current screening methods can not distinguish metallo-beta-lactamase producers from those producing AmpC beta-lactamase. Here we show a convenient method of detecting metallo-beta-lactamase producers using a thiol compound(2-mercaptopropionic acid) as well as a PCR method with metallo-beta-lactamase gene specific primers.