“Welt Online” writes that a “super germ was introduced from India into Europe”; BBC News state that a “New 'superbug' found in UK hospitals”. It is a fact that English scientists found the antibiotic-resistant pathogen in 37 patients, who had returned to Great Britain after surgeries in India or Pakistan. The pathogen was also detected in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, the US or the Netherlands, according to BBC News.
Multi-resistant pathogens are bacteria carrying the NDM-1 gene (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase). This enzyme leads to the ineffectiveness of all commonly used beta-lactam-antibiotics. According to experts, only few antibiotics can still be used against these super germs. Experts state that the development of a new medication against the threat is foreseeable. It is feared that the super germ will rapidly spread worldwide due to medical tourism and international travel activities – because a globalised world has no borders regarding germs.
It remains to be seen whether the growing threat of multi-resistant pathogens will make people rethink. After all, of what avail is it if new medications must be used over and over in order to relieve symptoms, instead of approaching the cause of the threat? That is, fighting diseases before they develop by means of hygienic measures. Disinfection of hands, surfaces and instruments is of special importance in this context. Fortunately, the active ingredients contained in the disinfectants are also effective against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, as the mechanisms of action are completely different. Thus, preparations with a confirmed bactericidal efficacy according to Euro standards or DGHM* methods can make an essential contribution to prevent further spreading of these dangerous microorganisms.
*German Association for Hygiene and Microbiology
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