Work

Emergence and characterization of new OXA-181 variants in France: OXA-1181, OXA-1201, OXA-1205, OXA-1207, and OXA-1226

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Since 2022, the diversity of OXA-48 variants has increased in France. We analyzed the dissemination of five recent variants (OXA-1181, OXA-1201, OXA-1205, OXA-1207, and OXA-1226) mostly identified on plasmids in high-risk Escherichia coli clones. Three of them (OXA-1181, OXA-1205, and OXA-1207) displayed the same Ser244Trp substitution with no significant impact on the β-lactams hydrolytic profile. IMPORTANCE This study described the recent emergence of five variants (OXA-1181, OXA-1201, OXA-1205, OXA-1207, and OXA-1226) in France. These variants were mostly identified in Escherichia coli high-risk clones. In addition, most of these new OXA-48 variants (OXA-1181, OXA-1205, and OXA-1207) were derived, interestingly, from OXA-181, OXA-232, and OXA-484 variants due to the apparition of the same S244W substitution, a residue that delimits the active site cavity. Together, these results threaten the dissemination of these OXA-48 variants in the community, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring to better understand their epidemiology and dissemination.

Source: Microbiology Spectrum

DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00489-26

Authors: Léa Bientz, Réva Nermont, Cécile Emeraud, Thierry Naas, Rémy A. Bonnin, Laurent Dortet