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India Battles Superbugs: Genome Study Fights Antibiotic Resistance
14 Jan
Summary
- Johns Hopkins University is sequencing genomes of resistant bacteria in India.
- The study focuses on carbapenem-resistant bacteria, last-resort antibiotic threats.
- Over 6,000 patient samples collected to analyze resistance patterns.
Johns Hopkins University is spearheading a crucial study in India, analyzing the whole genomes of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. This initiative, part of the Global Action in Healthcare Network-Antimicrobial Resistance in India (GAIHN-AMR) project, seeks to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by understanding how these 'superbugs' emerge and spread.
The multi-country study, funded by the CDC, involves major hospitals in Maharashtra and Mumbai. Carbapenem antibiotics are vital for severe infections, and resistance to them severely limits treatment options. Whole-genome sequencing helps identify genetic resistance mechanisms, track strain origins, and uncover new resistance genes, aiding in the development of future antibiotics and guiding current therapies.
Surveillance began in 2023, with over 6,000 clinical samples collected from admitted patients for analysis. Additionally, colonisation surveillance in ICUs has screened over 2,000 patients for carbapenem-resistant organisms, which can spread rapidly and cause serious infections if hygiene is inadequate. This research is vital for protecting patients and strengthening hospital infection control.
