New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase
Illnesses caused by disease and other infections have troubled inhabitants of this world for centuries. However, modern science and epidemiology allow us to break down the organisms that cause the illness in order to treat and prevent it. We can now understand the classification and type of organism as well as its life cycle. We can discover its mode of transmission and methods to diagnose it. By determining these factors, the future of the organism can be determined and lives can be saved. Today, many new diseases are being examined in hopes of containing ailments and treating those who have contracted them. One such ailment is an organism called New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase, more commonly known as NDM-1.
New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase is a potentially dangerous organism due to the bacteria in which it thrives, its chemical structure, and antibiotic resistance. NDM-1 itself is classified as an enzyme that contains the blaNDM-1 gene. It is produced by gram-negative bacteria, specifically escherichia coli (E. coli), klebsiella pneumoniae, and enterobacter cloacae. Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria acquired from hospitals that have virtually no antidote because they have mutated in response to antibiotic treatments. Their mutations have made them nearly immune to common prescriptions and are therefore very difficult to treat. Such bacteria have the potential to become “superbugs.” The bacteria that produce NDM-1 have mutated to resist both aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones; these are common antidotes that serve as antibiotics. Also, the NDM-1 “enzyme is active against other compounds that contain a chemical structure known as a beta-lactam ring. Unfortunately...
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...ug-Resistant Superbugs to Watch Out
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In the documentary, Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria, reporter David Hoffman investigates this new untreatable infection along two individuals and a bacterial virus within a hospital. The first individual Hoffman investigates is Addie Rerecich of Arizona, she was treated for a staph infection with antibiotics, but other complications arise. Addie had a lung transplant, she was given several different antibiotics, but her body became pan-bacteria, non-resistance to the bacteria. Addie’s life was on the edge, she had to be on life support, and finally she received new lungs. The transplant helped Addie but it would take years before could go back to normal before the infection. The second individual is David Ricci; he had his leg amputated in India after a train accident. The antibiotic treatment he received became toxic to his body increasing problems. While in India, he underwent surgery almost every day because of infections he was developing. Back in Seattle, doctors found the NDM-1 resistance gene in his body; NDM-1 gene is resistance to almost all antib...
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