OXA-48-like carbapenemases: the phantom menace

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2012 Jul;67(7):1597-606. doi: 10.1093/jac/dks121. Epub 2012 Apr 11.

Abstract

OXA-48-type carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases are increasingly reported in enterobacterial species. To date, six OXA-48-like variants have been identified, with OXA-48 being the most widespread. They differ by a few amino acid substitutions or deletions (one to five amino acids). The enzymes hydrolyse penicillins at a high level and carbapenems at a low level, sparing broad-spectrum cephalosporins, and are not susceptible to β-lactamase inhibitors. When combining permeability defects, OXA-48-like producers may exhibit a high level of resistance to carbapenems. OXA-163 is an exception, hydrolysing broad-spectrum cephalosporins but carbapenems at a very low level, and being susceptible to β-lactamase inhibitors. The bla(OXA-48)-type genes are always plasmid-borne and have been identified in association with insertion sequences involved in their acquisition and expression. The current spread of the bla(OXA-48) gene is mostly linked to the dissemination of a single IncL/M-type self-transferable plasmid of 62 kb that does not carry any additional resistance gene. OXA-48-type carbapenemases have been identified mainly from North African countries, the Middle East, Turkey and India, those areas constituting the most important reservoirs; however, occurrence of OXA-48 producers in European countries is now well documented, with some reported hospital outbreaks. Since many OXA-48-like producers do not exhibit resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins, or only decreased susceptibility to carbapenems, their recognition and detection can be challenging. Adequate screening and detection methods are therefore required to prevent and control their dissemination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carbapenems / metabolism
  • Enterobacteriaceae / enzymology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / genetics
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology*
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Penicillins / metabolism
  • Plasmids
  • Prevalence
  • beta-Lactam Resistance*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carbapenems
  • Penicillins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase