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The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 13) confirmed a case of New Delhi metallo-њ-lactamase-5 (NDM-5) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
The female patient, aged 80 with underlying illnesses, has presented with blood in her urine, painful and frequent urination since November 1. She attended the Outpatient Department of a private hospital on November 3 and hospitalisation was not required. Her clinical diagnosis was urinary tract infection and she is now in a stable condition.
Her urine sample grew NDM-5 Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon laboratory testing by the PHLSB.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. Her home contacts remain asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigations are proceeding.
"NDM is an enzyme which can deactivate carbapenems and other beta-lactams such as penicillins. Bacteria harbouring this NDM gene are commonly resistant to multiple antimicrobials, limiting therapeutic options and rendering severe clinical infections difficult to treat. Most bacteria with the NDM enzyme remain susceptible to two types of antibiotics, colistin and tigecycline," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Infections have varied from being asymptomatic to being potentially life-threatening or fatal. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is affected by the infection and the general health of the patient.
The spokesman said that proper use of antibiotics and personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are important for the prevention of emergence and cross-transmission of NDM strains.
Ends/Thursday, November 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:47
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