Ampicillin resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is due to production of what enzyme?

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Multiple Choice

Ampicillin resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is due to production of what enzyme?

Explanation:
Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic, so resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is most commonly due to production of beta-lactamase. This enzyme hydrolyzes the beta-lactam ring of ampicillin, inactivating the drug and preventing it from binding to penicillin-binding proteins essential for bacterial cell wall synthesis. Without an active beta-lactam ring, the antibiotic can’t exert its effect. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase would confer resistance to chloramphenicol, not ampicillin. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes affect aminoglycosides, and a DNA gyrase–targeting mechanism relates to quinolones, not beta-lactams.

Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic, so resistance in Haemophilus influenzae is most commonly due to production of beta-lactamase. This enzyme hydrolyzes the beta-lactam ring of ampicillin, inactivating the drug and preventing it from binding to penicillin-binding proteins essential for bacterial cell wall synthesis. Without an active beta-lactam ring, the antibiotic can’t exert its effect.

Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase would confer resistance to chloramphenicol, not ampicillin. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes affect aminoglycosides, and a DNA gyrase–targeting mechanism relates to quinolones, not beta-lactams.

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