Ceftazidime/avibactam uniquely demonstrates activity against both KPC and OXA-48-like carbapenemase-expressing Enterobacterales. Clinical resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam in KPC-producers was foreseen in in-vitro resistance studies. Herein, we assessed the resistance selection propensity of ceftazidime/avibactam in K. pneumoniae expressing OXA-48-like β-lactamases (n = 10), employing serial transfer approach. Ceftazidime/avibactam MICs (0.25-4 mg/L) increased to 16-256 mg/L after 15 daily-sequential transfers. The whole genome sequence analysis of terminal mutants showed modifications in proteins linked to efflux (AcrB/AcrD/EmrA/Mdt), outer membrane permeability (OmpK36) and/or stress response pathways (CpxA/EnvZ/RpoE). In-vitro growth properties of all the ceftazidime/avibactam-selected mutants were comparable to their respective parents and they retained the ability to cause pulmonary infection in neutropenic mice. Against these mutants, we explored the activities of various combinations of β-lactams (ceftazidime or cefepime) with structurally diverse β-lactamase inhibitors or a β-lactam enhancer, zidebactam. Zidebactam, in combination with either cefepime or ceftazidime, overcame ceftazidime/avibactam resistance (MIC range 0.5-8 mg/L), while cefepime/avibactam was the second best (MIC: 0.5-16 mg/L) in yielding lower MICs. The present work revealed the possibility of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in OXA-48-like K. pneumoniae through mutations in proteins involved in efflux and/or porins without concomitant fitness cost mandating astute monitoring of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance among OXA-48 genotypes.
Keywords: ceftazidime/avibactam; multi-drug resistance; β-lactamase inhibitor; β-lactams.