Differential selection of single-step AmpC or efflux mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using cefepime, ceftazidime, or ceftobiprole.

Single-step Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants, selected with ceftobiprole, ceftazidime, or cefepime, were generated at frequencies of 10(-6) to <10(-9) at two and four times the MIC. The chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase activity was increased in all ceftazidime-selected mutants. Mutants selected with cefepime either increased AmpC activity or upregulated expression of the mexXY efflux genes. Mutants selected with ceftobiprole did not overexpress AmpC; 90% of these produced elevated levels of mexXY RNA, indicating that increased efflux, not AmpC derepression, is the predominant response to ceftobiprole during first-step mutations in P. aeruginosa.