Bacteria producing carbapenemase would be expected to be resistant to which class of antibiotics?

Bacteria producing carbapenemase would be expected to be resistant to which class of antibiotics?

• A. Aminoglycosides
• B. Cephalosporins
• C. Fluoroquinolones
• D. Tetracyclines

Answer: (B)

Carbapenemases are beta-lactamases that inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics by breaking the beta-lactam ring. Because cephalosporins are beta-lactams, bacteria that produce carbapenemase typically become resistant to cephalosporins as well. Other listed classes—aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines—are not beta-lactams, so carbapenemase production doesn’t directly predict resistance to them. Thus, cephalosporins are the class most likely to be ineffective against these producers.

Carbapenemases are beta-lactamases that inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics by breaking the beta-lactam ring. Because cephalosporins are beta-lactams, bacteria that produce carbapenemase typically become resistant to cephalosporins as well. Other listed classes—aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines—are not beta-lactams, so carbapenemase production doesn’t directly predict resistance to them. Thus, cephalosporins are the class most likely to be ineffective against these producers.