1. SYN: β-lactamase. 2. A purified enzyme preparation obtained from cultures of a strain of Bacillus cereus; formerly used in the treatment of slowly developing or delayed penicillin reactions. Used by bacteria to develop penicillin resistance.
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n.
an enzyme, produced by some bacteria, that is capable of antagonizing the antibacterial action of penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotic. Purified penicillinase may be used to treat reactions to penicillin. It is also used in diagnostic tests to isolate microorganisms from the blood of patients receiving penicillin.
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pen·i·cil·lin·ase (pen″ĭ-silґĭ-nās) a β-lactamase (q.v.) preferentially cleaving penicillins.Medical dictionary. 2011.