In vitro activity of cefoxitin, imipenem, meropenem, and ceftaroline in combination with vaborbactam against Mycobacterium abscessus

Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) infections pose a growing public health threat. Here, we assessed the in vitro activity of the boronic acid-based β-lactamase inhibitor, vaborbactam, with different β-lactams against 100 clinical MAB isolates. Enhanced activity was observed with meropenem and ceftaroline with vaborbactam (1- and >4-fold MIC 50 / 90 reduction). CRISPRi-mediated bla MAB gene knockdown showed a fourfold MIC reduction to ceftaroline but not the other β-lactams. Our findings demonstrate vaborbactam’s potential in combination therapy against MAB infections.