Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: May 2, 2018
Mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance in Haemophilus influenzae
L Gutmann1, R Williamson, E Collatz
1Laboratoire de Microbiologie Médicale, Hopital Saint-Joseph, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Haemophilus influenzae has become increasingly resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. Three major mechanisms, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic, are involved. Enzymatic resistance is mainly due to production of a TEM-1 plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase, and in some cases to a new enzyme ROB-1. Of the non-enzymatic mechanisms, decreased permeability due to alteration of outer membrane proteins seems to be rare in comparison to decreased affinity of penicillin-binding proteins for beta-lactam antibiotics. Enzymatic resistance is present in about 10-20% of clinical isolates, while non-enzymatic resistance is present only in 2-4%.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

