In a child admitted with H. Influenza meningitis, Cefotaxime was staed instead of ampicillin. Which of these is the likely reason for this?

Ans. (a) H. influenzae stains known to produce Beta lactamase Approximately 20-35% of nontypable strains of hemophilus produce 13-lactamase. In addition to 0-lactamase alteration of penicillin binding proteins is a second mechanism of ampicillin resistance has been detected in isolates of H. influenzae.