Interactions of meropenem, with beta-lactamases, including enzymes with extended-spectrum activity against third-generation cephalosporins.

The interactions of a meropenem were studied with a set of beta-lactamases including the new TEM- and SHV-related plasmid-mediated enzymes that have extended-spectrum activity against third-generation cephalosporins ('cefotaximases' and 'ceftazidimases'). Meropenem and imipenem were highly resistant to the hydrolytic activity of all the TEM and SHV related beta-lactamases, and to the OXA enzymes, as were the cephamycins: cefoxitin and cefotetan. The two carbapenems were also highly stable to Class C beta-lactamases (chromosomal cephalosporinases) whereas third-generation cephalosporins and cephamycins were slowly hydrolyzed. Both carbapenems demonstrated quite similar affinities for all the enzymes studied. In some instances, and particularly with Class A (TEM- and SHV-derived) enzymes, meropenem inactivated the beta-lactamase activity. Imipenem appeared less reactive in this respect.