Abstract
β-Lactamases, especially carbapenemases, represent a current threat to human medicine. They are also spread in animals, farms, and wildlife.
Therefore, their fast and reliable detection is important for prevention of their uncontrolled spread. Here, we describe two methods based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry allowing functional detection of hydrolysis products of β-lactams as well as an assay for direct visualization of the molecular mass of lactamase.
Using antibiotic molecular signal monitoring, fast identification of β-lactamases important for treatment and setting up barrier precautions preventing their spread is possible. On the contrary, direct enzyme molecular signal monitoring is reliable for epidemiological studies, typing of the isolates, and precise identification of β-lactamase type.