Restoring carbapenem efficacy: a novel carbapenem companion targeting metallo-β-lactamases in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales

Abstract

Background: The dissemination of MBLs compromises effective use of many β-lactams in the treatment of patients with life-threatening bacterial infections. Predicted global increases in the prevalence of MBL-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are being realized, yielding infections that are untreatable with existing therapies including newly approved β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Developing MBL inhibitors (MBLIs) now is essential to address the growing threat that MBL-producing CRE pose to patients.

Methods: A novel MBLI series was assessed by susceptibility testing and time-kill assays. Target activity and selectivity was evaluated using bacterial NDM, VIM and IMP enzyme assays and human matrix metallopeptidase enzyme assays, respectively, and cytotoxicity was assessed in HepG2 cells. In vivo efficacy of meropenem/MBLI combinations was evaluated in a mouse thigh infection model using an NDM-1-producing Escherichia coli strain.

Results: Combination of MBLIs with carbapenems reduced MICs for NDM/IMP/VIM-producing Enterobacterales by up to 128-fold compared with the carbapenems alone. Supplementation of meropenem with the promising compound 272 reduced the MIC90 from 128 to 0.25 mg/L in a panel of MBL-producing CRE clinical isolates (n = 115). Compound 272 restored the bactericidal activity of meropenem and was non-cytotoxic, potentiating the antimicrobial action of meropenem through specific inhibition of NDM, IMP and VIM. In vivo efficacy was achieved in a mouse thigh infection model with meropenem/272 dosed subcutaneously.

Conclusions: We have developed a series of rationally designed MBLIs that restore activity of carbapenems against NDM/IMP/VIM-producing Enterobacterales. This series warrants further development towards a novel combination therapy that combats antibiotic-resistant organisms, which pose a critical threat to human health.