Potent inhibitory activity of taniborbactam towards NDM-1 and NDM-1Q119X mutants, and in vitro activity of cefepime/taniborbactam against MBLs producing Enterobacterales

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of taniborbactam (VNRX-5133), a novel broad-spectrum bicyclic boronate, against NDM-1 and Q119E, Q119K, Q119C, Q119F, Q119V, and Q119Y NDM-1 variants, which showed an increased activity towards some fi-lactams, including cefepime. Methods: Inhibition kinetic assays were spectrophotometrically performed using cefepime (50 mu M) as the reporter substrate and 80 nM of each enzyme. Taniborbactam behaves as a competitive inhibitor towards NDM-1 and NDM-1 Q119 variants with lower Ki values (range 3-16 nM). The phenotypic profile was assessed in both Enterobacterales clinical isolates and engineered Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strains by conventional broth microdilution procedures according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results: Taniborbactam at a fixed concentration of 4 mg/L was able to restore activity of cefepime in 24 of 26 Enterobacterales clinical isolates harbouring metallo-beta-lactamases with MIC50/MIC90 values of 14 mg/L. Cefepime MICs were drastically reduced in all clinical isolates and in NDM-1 and Q119X producing Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Taniborbactam was unable to restore susceptibility to cefepime in two IMP variants producing clinical isolates. Conclusion: The inhibition level of NDM enzymes provided by taniborbactam protects the antibacterial activity of cefepime from this important metallo-beta-lactamase. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of taniborbactam on NDM-1 and its variants, restoring the activity of cefepime in clinical isolates and engineered Escherichia coli strains. Taniborbactam acts as a competitive inhibitor with lower Ki values against NDM-1 and its variants, offering potential in combating metallo-beta-lactamase-mediated antibiotic resistance.