Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC) can hydrolyze which of the following antibiotics?

Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC) is a type of enzyme produced by certain strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae that confers resistance to a broad spectrum of beta-lactam antibiotics. The correct answer indicates that KPC can hydrolyze all penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems.

This broad-spectrum activity is significant because it allows KPC-producing bacteria to survive in the presence of many commonly used antibiotics. Penicillins, which include drugs like amoxicillin and piperacillin, are susceptible to hydrolysis by KPC. Similarly, cephalosporins, which are another class of beta-lactam antibiotics, are also affected. Additionally, carbapenems, considered to be the last line of defense for treating resistant Gram-negative infections, are rendered ineffective against organisms producing KPC.

The other options presented do not fully capture the hydrolytic capabilities of KPC. Restricting the susceptibility to only one class of antibiotics, such as penicillins or cephalosporins or monobactams, overlooks the extensive resistance mechanisms of KPC. Monobactams, for instance, are generally more