Scientist worry over spread of new SUPERBUG

The superbug containing NDM-1 gene, is a newly identified phenomenon which enables bacteria to develop resistance against almost every antibiotic, and has now become a possible threat to the world. The ease of replication and horizontal transfer to and fro cells of different strains has rendered it effective in causing infectious diseases and resistant against treatment. Its presence, commonly detected in gram negative E.coli bacteria cells, has been known to cause urinary tract infection (UTI).

To be more accurate, NDM-1, New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase is an enzyme that allows bacteria to be more resistant against beta-lactamase antibiotics.

This superbug gene has been increasingly spotted in areas such as Britain, and has already been circulating in India to say the least. People travel to India for elective procedures such as cosmetic surgery, and return to their native countries carrying the harmful gene. Therefore, the booming medical tourism in places like India and Pakistan could cause a surge in antibiotic resistance, which could massively spread to the rest of the world.



Klebsiella pneumoniae, the bacterium in which NDM-1 was first identified.