Risk of transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and related “superbugs” during gastrointestinal endoscopy

Figure 3 Displayed are the core chemical structures of two different types of β-lactam antibiotics: A penicillin and a carbapenem. Both antibiotics feature the four-membered β-lactam ring. A: The core chemical structure of penicillin antibiotics; B: The core chemical structure of carbapenem antibiotics. (*The “R” in either diagram denotes a distinct side chain that is attached to the molecule’s core).