Carbapenemases as factors of Resistance to Antibacterial Drugs

Abstract

Antibiotic drugs are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections around the world. The emergence and spread of bacterial resistance to carbapenems is currently a real threat that determines the need for its timely detection and suppression. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are ranked as the highest priority in the 2017 WHO Global Priority Pathogens List. The number of known carbapenemases is constantly increasing, but the most common are IMP-type, VIM-type, NDM-type, KPC-type, and OXA-type. Carbapenemases belong to molecular class B (metallo-β-lactamases) or molecular classes A and D (serine carbapenemases). The genes encoding carbapenemases are part of the mobile genetic elements, which contributes to their rapid intra- and interspecific transfer. In this regard, the purpose of this review is to get acquainted with the current information on the classification and characteristics of carbapenemases, ways to overcome the spread of resistance to carbapenems. At the same time, the article pays attention not only to infectious agents, but also to those carriers of carbapenemases that have not been seen as infectious agents, since they can also influence the evolution of resistance genes.

Keywords

• carbapenemase
• beta-lactamase
• antibiotic