A new antibiotic resistant bug has emerged from medical cases in the United Kingdom, and the United States. This antibiotic resistant bug is thought to be a bigger concern than some other superbugs. The reason this particular bug is particularly notable is because it is immune to anti-biotics specifically used for antibiotic resitant superbugs.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the bug contains a gene called NDM-1 or New Delhi Metallo-1, and is thought to have origins in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
2) New Delhi Television cites the Indian government as claiming the superbug's association with India is unverified, and makes "loaded" assumptions regarding the superbug's location of origin.(4)
Antibiotic resistant superbugs are bacterial infections that are believed to have developed immunity to common antibiotic treatments due to high levels of exposure to the drugs.(1) Infections caused by antibiotic resistant superbugs are reported to be on the rise by the Center for Disease Control Foundation. Health officials fear international travel and the superbug's inherent immunity to some antibiotics make the NDM-1 infection a considerable threat.
Since the new antibiotic resistant superbug is immune to more than just frequently prescribed antibiotics, this one poses a specific strength of immunity that could be dangerous to travelers, hospitals and areas where the bug can proliferate.(2) The L.A. Times and other sources have reported 37 cases of the NDM-1 superbug were identified in the United Kingdom as of mid August, 2010.(3)
The NDM-1 bug is not the first superbug with this quality however. The Los Angeles Times reports another superbug called the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been in the U.S. for some time already.(3) Moreover, this other superbug is not resistant to all anti-biotics and drug companies are taking the initiative to find ways of combating new strains of antibotic resitant superbugs.(3) The NDM-1 superbug has been identified by medical researchers as being most prevalent in bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.(2)
Many superbugs are beginning to emerge according to the U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, according to the FDA, almost all antibiotics are beginning to develop resistance to antibiotics.(4) In effect, this makes many bacterial infections superbugs which presents a rather large potential health concern that health authorities have taken notice of. Officials have yet to say the NDM-1 superbug is a major threat in the United States, but are monitoring it for any more developments.(2)
Sources: Date of record (August 16, 2010)
1) http://bit.ly/d9r7So (CDC Foundation)
2) http://bit.ly/8YQWun (Dept. Health and Human Services)
3) http://bit.ly/cEZePe (L.A. Times)
4) http://bit.ly/9KJ9kB (NDTV)
5) http://bit.ly/lDK9O (FDA)