Combinations of avibactam and carbapenems exhibit enhanced potencies against drug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus

Future Microbiol. 2017 May;12(6):473-480. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0234. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess if avibactam, a new β-lactamase inhibitor, can restore the potency of carbapenems, a sub-class of β-lactams, against Mycobacterium abscessus clinical isolates.

Materials & methods: 28 M. abscessus clinical isolates that are resistant to multiple drugs currently used to treat its infection were included. MIC of carbapenems alone and in combination with avibactam against these strains were determined.

Results: Tebipenem, an oral carbapenem, and ertapenem and panipenem exhibited the greatest shift in MIC when supplemented with avibactam.

Conclusion: Avibactam restores MICs of tebipenem, ertapenem and panipenem against M. abscessus to therapeutically achievable concentrations and raises the possibility of usefulness of these carbapenems to treat drug-resistant M. abscessus infections.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus; avibactam; carbapenem; ertapenem; panipenem; tebipenem.

MeSH terms

  • Azabicyclo Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Ertapenem
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium abscessus / drug effects*
  • Thienamycins / pharmacology
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • beta-Lactams / pharmacology

Substances

  • Azabicyclo Compounds
  • Carbapenems
  • Thienamycins
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
  • beta-Lactams
  • avibactam
  • Ertapenem
  • tebipenem
  • panipenem