Background: Accurate detection of organisms producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase is very important for treatment of patients. However, unlike the ESBL confirmatory test, there are no guidelines for detection of organisms producing AmpC β-lactamase. We evaluated a detection method using boronic acid (BA) for ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase. 

Methods: Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus mirabilis showing intermediate resistance or resistance to cefoxitin (FOX) or positive for ESBL were tested. A ≥5 mm increase in zone diameter of ceftazidime/clavulanic acid/BA (CAZ/CA/BA) and/or cefotaxime/clavulanic acid/BA (CTX/CA/BA) versus CAZ/BA and/or CTX /BA was considered positive for ESBL. Likewise, a ≥5 mm increase in zone diameter of FOX/BA and/or cefotetan/BA (CTT/BA) versus FOX and/or CTT alone was considered positive for AmpC β-lactamase. 

Results: Among 622 clinical isolates, ESBL positive rates by the CLSI ESBL confirmatory test or by the BA method were 18.1% or 18.4% for E. coli, 38.3% or 40.4% for K. pneumoniae, 8.7% or 8.7% for K. oxytoca, and 14.8% or 14.8% for P. mirabilis, respectively. AmpC β-lactamase positive rates using the BA method were 3.7% for E. coli, 33.3% for K. pneumoniae, 0% for K. oxytoca, and 7.4% for P. mirabilis. The detection rates of coproducing ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase were 2.4% in E. coli, 27.1% in K. pneumoniae, and 3.7% in P. mirabilis. 

Conclusion: The ESBL confirmatory method using BA was found to enhance the detection of ESBLs, even when potentially masked by AmpC β-lactamase. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2009;12:24-29)