RESUMOIntrodução: O principal mecanismo de resistência emergente entre Enterobacteriaceae é a produção de β-lactamases de espectro estendido, enzimas capazes de hidrolisar cefalosporinasde-amplo-espectro, que são bastante utilizadas na terapia antimicrobiana de infecções por enterobactérias. Embora a resistência a esses agentes apresente grande variabilidade geográfica, os índices de resistência são elevados em diversos países. ABSTRACT Introduction:The main emerging resistance mechanism relating to Enterobacteriaceae is represented by production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). These enzymes have the capacity to hydrolyze broad-spectrum cephalosporins and are greatly used for antimicrobial chemotherapy on enterobacterial infections. Although resistance to these agents presents remarkable geographical variability, the resistance rates are high in many countries. Methods: A retrospective observational cross-sectional descriptive study was developed to evaluate the frequency of ESBLs among Enterobacteriaceae strains obtained from Hospital São Vicente de Paulo, Brazil. Results: ESBL production was noted in 24.8% (n = 208/838) of the isolates evaluated. Isolates of Escherichia coli represented 46.2% (n = 96/208) of the ESBL producers, followed by Enterobacter species (30.3%; n = 63/208). The sensitivity of these isolates to meropenem was 91.4% and to piperacillin/tazobactam, 67.4%. Conclusions: The ESBL levels founded confirm the worldwide concern regarding this resistance mechanism.

Occurrence and the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents inABSTRACT Introduction: The main mechanism of emerging resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter sp. isolates is the production of metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs). MβLs are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing cephalosporins, penicillins and carbapenems, but not monobactams (aztreonam), which are often used as antimicrobial therapy to treat nosocomial infections. Methods: An observational descriptive and retrospective study was designed to assess the frequency of MβLs among strains of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter sp. obtained from a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. Results: MβL production was observed in 77.6% (n = 173/223) for P. aeruginosa isolates and 22.4% (n = 50/223) of Acinetobacter sp. isolates. The Acinetobacter sp. isolates showed 92.8% sensitivity to amikacin and P. aeruginosa isolates showed 58.9% sensitivity to aztreonam. Conclusions: The MβL indices determined confirm the global concern with this mechanism of resistance.