1 year, 9 months ago
via health-qna.com
It seems that NDM-1 has the ability to attach itself to other bacteria. Which types of bacteria has it been discovered in so far?
Can it become a part of any type of bacteria? Do the experts have any idea what direction this superbug will take and what other types of bacteria NDM-1 will be found in next.
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M$1 Answer
To say that it "attaches" itself to other bacteria is technically incorrect. NDM-1 is a gene that can be passed on to following "generations" of bacteria much in the same way that humans have hereditary illnesses or traits. The NDM-1 gene grants the bacteria resistance to antibiotics of the carbapenem family. These are commonly used as a last resort to fight off serious bacterial infections.
So far, from what I have found, strains of E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have been found to carry the gene. I don't think they have found any evidence yet of it passing to any other strains, but they are aware that this can happen. It really depends on what bugs inherit the gene as to how serious the effects will be as it only really effects bugs that require antibiotics to cure. However, if the gene does get into the larger populace of bacteria, including good bacteria it would be logical to assume that this would make it more likely to transmit to the harmful strains (however this is only my assumption and may be incorrect for many reasons).
So far, from what I have found, strains of E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have been found to carry the gene. I don't think they have found any evidence yet of it passing to any other strains, but they are aware that this can happen. It really depends on what bugs inherit the gene as to how serious the effects will be as it only really effects bugs that require antibiotics to cure. However, if the gene does get into the larger populace of bacteria, including good bacteria it would be logical to assume that this would make it more likely to transmit to the harmful strains (however this is only my assumption and may be incorrect for many reasons).
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