The new controversy prevailing in the Market is New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, or NDM-1. This is a newly-identified enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. This includes antibiotics of the carbapenem family that were a mainstay for the treatment of other antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The gene for NDM-1 is one member of a large gene family that encode beta-lactamase enzymes called carbapenemases. Bacteria that carry such genes are often referred to in the news media as "superbugs", since infections with these bacteria are very hard to treat successfully.Most isolates with NDM-1 enzyme are resistant to all standard intravenous antibiotics for treatment of severe infections.
This gene was identified almost a year back but recently the UK Government has taken it as WEAPON to target the Medical Tourism in India.
United Kingdom Health Protection Agency has targeted India's Medical Tourism by telling the world that the Origin for this Gene baring bacteria is from India.
This is throwing a big controversy because, Firstly this Gene was first found in a patient of Sweden origin, who got infected in India. The scientists who discovered this Gene has named it after our Indis's Capital City New Delhi, which is against all the ethics and Medical and Microbial rule books. Generally it should be named after the scientist who found it or on the place it was found.
Secondly as per the study conducted in March 2010 by Multi national teams, 37 cases were found in the United Kingdom, 44 isolates with NDM-1 in Chennai, 26 in Haryana and 73 in various other sites in Pakistan. The study has not covered the considerable amount of samples and the study was targeted at India and also the report sent by the Indian scientists was "doctored" (As claimed by the Scientist involved in the study from Chennai^3)
Even though it is prevalent in other countries like USA, UK and Pakistan section of Media is categorically targeting the Indian Medical System since the medical tourism in India is getting momentum in the recent times.
The fact remains that the misuse of Antibiotics, hospital cleanliness, and the lack of political willingness to control the over the counter selling of drugs (Particularly Antibiotics) in India let to this situation. India needs to CLEAN its house before reacting to the report.
The issues like this will definitely defame our image in the International Arena. But it should be taken as an eye opener and the Political and intellectual sector in India need to through light on these issues and should frame the necessary preventive measures to stop the menace
References: 1. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(10)70155-9/fulltext
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi_metallo-beta-lactamase
3. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-trashes-superbug-report-says-its-doctored/articleshow/6301982.cms
Regards,
Mohan
