blaOXA48liknande

blaOXA48liknande refers to a group of carbapenemase genes that confer resistance to carbapenem antibiotics in bacteria. These genes are often found on plasmids, which are small, circular pieces of DNA that can be easily transferred between bacteria. This horizontal gene transfer is a major mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance.

The OXA-48-like carbapenemases belong to the OXA class of beta-lactamases, which are enzymes that break down beta-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. While OXA-48 itself was first identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae, the "liknande" (Swedish for "similar") designation indicates a family of related enzymes with similar carbapenemase activity. These include variants like OXA-181, OXA-232, and others, which may have slight differences in their amino acid sequences and substrate specificities but generally confer resistance to a broad range of carbapenems.

The emergence and spread of blaOXA48liknande genes are a significant concern in healthcare settings. Infections caused by bacteria carrying these genes are difficult to treat, as carbapenems are often considered last-resort antibiotics. Surveillance and rapid detection of these resistance mechanisms are crucial for infection control and for guiding antimicrobial therapy. Research efforts are ongoing to understand the evolution, spread, and genetic context of these genes and to develop novel therapeutic strategies.