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In modern medical practice, the development of antimicrobial resistance by Enterobacterriaceae is
inevitable and is considered as a major problem in the treatment of bacterial infections in the hospital
and in the community. Beta-Lactamase-Producing bacteria (BLPB) can play an important role in
polymicrobial infections. They can have a direct pathogenic impact in causing the infection as well as an
indirect effect through their ability to produce the enzyme beta-lactamase.These enzyme producing
Enterobacteriaceae families are associated with a higher morbidity, mortality and fiscal burden.Extended
spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) are enzymes produced by a variety of Gram negative bacteria which
confer an increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics.Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)
are usually plasmid-mediated enzymes that confer resistance to a broad range of β-lactams. Initially,
resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in Gram-negative rods was mainly due to the dissemination
of TEM- and SHV-type ESBLs, which are point mutants of the classic TEM, SHV and CTX and enzymes
with extended substrate specificity. Treatment of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing
strains of Enterobacteriaceae has emerged as a major challenge in hospitalised as well as community
based patients. This article aims to give an overview of the current situation regarding ESBL producing
Enterobacteriaceae with focus on the antibiotic resistance mechanism and management of such infection.
Keywords: Enterobacteriaceae, β-Lactamase, ESBL, Types of ESBL, β-Lactam antibiotics, Antibiotic
resistance mechanism.