| Researchers in UK have recently come out with a | | | | The fact that its origin is supposedly pointed to in the |
| finding about a new bacterium, that is resistant to | | | | South East Asian subcontinent notably India and |
| most known antibiotics. It was found to be present | | | | Pakistan is merely a pointer to the fact that although |
| in 37 people who had traveled recently to India and | | | | these countries have developed excellent medical |
| Pakistan. Their research focused on a unique | | | | facilities at par with any in the world, the over use of |
| resistance mechanism in certain variety of | | | | antibiotics amongst their larger population is rampant. |
| Gram-negative bacteria which they chose to call the | | | | This has resulted in these organisms having |
| Superbug NDM-1, an acronym for "New Delhi | | | | developed a resistance to them. These have |
| metallo-B-lactamase - 1." By adding the suffix | | | | thereafter naturally made way even to the hospitals. |
| "1″ perhaps they are expecting a series of | | | | Prevention of the Superbug NDM-1 |
| "2″ and maybe "3″! Whatever be the | | | | - Provision of good hygienic conditions, with adequate |
| case, the suggestion itself is worth pondering about; | | | | cleanliness and sanitization is the best bet against |
| after all, even the World War 1 were not called so till | | | | further spreading of this superbug. |
| such time the World War II started! However, | | | | - Reporting any incidence of Superbug NDM-1 and |
| experts are unanimous in saying that no | | | | isolating that patient at the earliest, is essential and |
| corroborative evidence exists about the origin of this | | | | helps prevent the further spread of such organisms. |
| strain and whether that these organisms, containing | | | | - Isolation of patients and preventing them from |
| the so called mutant gene "NDM-1", are any different | | | | contracting such diseases that are likely to be |
| or more dangerous that the better known MRSA or | | | | affected by super bug NDM-1 gene gives better |
| the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which | | | | results than treating the patient once exposed. |
| is already so widespread in the United States as well | | | | Controlling the spread of Superbug NDM-1 is largely |
| as other parts of the world. Nor is Super bug NDM-1 | | | | related to stopping further mutation of the gene that |
| very much different from a number of | | | | causes it. Since it is largely confined to the hospitals, |
| carbapenam-resistant organisms observed previously. | | | | its further spread can be prevented by ensuring that |
| It is simply "one" of the number of very other bugs | | | | those dealing with such patients wear long sleeved |
| that are resistant to the stronger, more recently | | | | disposable gowns and use disposable gloves. Also, |
| developed antibiotics called the "carbapenams", used | | | | frequent fumigation and other such measures go a |
| to treat more resistant type of bacteria. | | | | long way in preventing it. |