OXA-900, a Novel OXA Sub-Family Carbapenemase Identified in Citrobacter freundii, Evades Detection by Commercial Molecular Diagnostics Tests

Abstract

Using whole-genome sequencing and cloning of the target gene, we identified blaOXA-900 carbapenemase, a novel blaOXA belonging to a distant and distinct sub-family of blaOXA-48-like. The plasmid-mediated gene was identified in a C. freundii isolate with elevated carbapenem MICs that evaded detection by commercial DNA-based methods. The novel gene, an OXA-48 family carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamase, OXA-900, likely originates from marine environmental Shewanella. Since this plasmid-mediated gene has entered a member of the Enterobacterales and evades detection by commonly used tests, it may gain wide dissemination among Enterobacterales.