By TCN News,
Aligarh: Dr Asad U Khan, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, along with his research team, has discovered a new variant of New Delhi Metallo-betalactamse, called NDM-4 from sewage water in Aligarh. This is the first time that this superbug has been reported in India.
The findings of the study, conducted by Dr Khan, were published in the latest issue of Journal of Medical Microbiology, a UK based journal. It is evident that the superbug has been in existence in the sewerage water of the drains around JN Medical College.
Dr Asad U Khan
Dr Khan informed that infection caused by this superbug was found more difficult to control as compared to previously detected superbug, NDM-1, discovered in 2012. His lab is also involved in screening of NDM- superbug in Neonatal Intensive care Unit in collaboration with Prof S Manazir Ali, Department of Pediatrics.
He said that this superbug in India and its dissemination to other countries are already prime issues for the Ministry of Health, Govt of India. The challenge is to implement policies in order to control the threat of the producers of NDM-4. Moreover, the emergence of NDM-4 superbug and other variants in India should definitely be taken as prudently and further surveillance is needed to evaluate prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and develop strategies to prevent their spread, he added.
Dr Khan also suggested to spread awareness regarding the urgent need of taking due precautions with regard to safe drinking water and uncontaminated food. He further suggested the use of antibiotics only on the prescription of a Doctor.