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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.
