karbapenemaz

Karbapenemaz is a hypothetical enzyme that would degrade carbapenem antibiotics. Carbapenems are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics known for their broad spectrum of activity and resistance to many beta-lactamases. However, resistance to carbapenems can emerge through various mechanisms, including the production of carbapenemases. Carbapenemases are enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate carbapenem antibiotics, rendering them ineffective.

Examples of clinically significant carbapenemases include New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), and oxacillinase-48 (OXA-48). These enzymes are often found in Gram-negative bacteria, such as Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and their spread is a major global health concern. The discovery and characterization of specific carbapenemases are crucial for understanding resistance mechanisms and developing strategies to combat them. Research into carbapenemase inhibitors and alternative therapeutic agents is ongoing to address the challenge posed by these enzymes. The term "karbapenemaz" itself, as a direct transliteration, would refer to this class of enzymes.