Beta-Lactamase Activity and the Resistance of Ampicillin in Salmonella Species

Abstract

Resistance to chloramphenicol and ampicillin, first choice drugs in the treatment of salmonellosis, has been increasing day to day. This resistance generally depends on plasmid mediated beta-lactamase activity. The ease of plasmid tranfering plays an important role in the spread of antibiotic resistance from one bacterial strain to another. In this study, beta-lactamase activity and the resistance of ampicillin in totally 97 salmonella strains isolated from stool and blood specimens were investigated. Beta-Jactamase activity was detected in 38 of these bacteria. Except for a beta-lactamase positive strain of S.schottmuelleri, the resistance of ampicillin was detected in all salmonella strains having beta-lactamase enzyme.