Detection of AmpC beta-lactamases using sodium salicylate

AmpC β-lactamases are enzymes that hydrolyze all β-lactam antibiotics except cefipime and imipenem. Currently, there is no standard phenotypic method for detection of such enzymes. This study aims to report the use of sodium salicylate for AmpC β-lactamases detection and to compare its sensitivity and specificity to other commonly known inhibitors. A total of 135 clinical isolates were used to test the effectiveness of sodium salicylate in detection of plasmid- as well as chromosomally encoded AmpC β-lactamases. All isolates were tested by multiplex PCR testing as well as inhibitor-based methods using cloxacillin, phenylboronic acid and sodium salicylate for the detection of AmpC enzymes. Four isolates were confirmed as producers of plasmid-encoded AmpC β-lactamase and a single isolate was confirmed to have both plasmid and chromosomal genes. Cloxacillin and phenylyboronic acid failed to detect most of the plasmid-encoded enzymes. Sodium salicylate was able to detect the Escherichia coli isolates with plasmid-encoded enzymes in addition to few other isolates that were chromosomally mediated. The sensitivity and specificity of sodium salicylate was 50% and 93%, respectively, higher than those of other known inhibitors. We thus conclude that sodium salicylate can be reliably used as an inhibitor in the detection of plasmid-encoded AmpC enzymes in E. coli. ► Sodium salicylate is an inhibitor that represses AmpC β-lactamases expression. ► Sodium salicylate causes a reduction in β-lactam antibiotic MICs. ► Sodium salicylate can be used in the detection of AmpC β-lactamases in E. coli. ► Sodium salicylate is sensitive in the detection of plasmid-encoded AmpC β-lactamases. ► Sodium salicylate has higher specificity and sensitivity than other known inhibitors.