A novel KPC variant, KPC-41, was identified in a Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolate from Switzerland.

This beta-lactamase possessed a three amino acid insertion (Pro-Asn-Lys) located between amino acids 269 and 270 compared to the KPC-3 amino acid sequence. Cloning and expression of the blaKPC-41 gene in Escherichia coli, followed by determination of MIC values and kinetic parameters showed that KPC-41 has an increased affinity to ceftazidime and a decreased sensitivity to avibactam, leading to resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam once produced in K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, KPC-41 exhibited a drastic decrease of its carbapenemase activity. This report highlights that a diversity of KPC variants conferring resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam already circulate in Europe.