Clinical significance of beta-lactamase activity of sputum
In the present study we have evaluated the fundamental possibility of determination of betalactamase activity of sputum, and also made an analysis of clinical significance of this parameter. Up to 89% of sputum sam ples possess beta-lactamase activity what is above zero. At least in some cases human serum albumin contributes to the total level of beta-lactamase activity of sputum; this influence may be excluded by treatment of sputum samples with suspension of Blue Sepharose beads (Sigma cat. # R9903). Relatively high (above 20%) beta-lactamase activity of sputum reliably increases the failure probability of the empirical antibacterial treatment of bronchi and lungs lesions in 2.0-3.1 times.