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The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health confirmed today (June 18) a case of New Delhi metallo-£]-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
The patient is a man aged 95 with underlying illnesses who lives in Foshan, Guangdong. He was admitted to a local hospital on May 8 after injuring himself in a slip and fall. He was transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) on June 5 for further management. His current condition is stable.
His rectal swab grew NDM-1 Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon laboratory testing by the PHLSB.
The patient's home contact remains asymptomatic. Investigations by the CHP are ongoing.
"NDM is an enzyme which can inactivate 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 potentially life-threatening or fatal. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is infected and the general health of the patient.
The spokesman said that proper use of antibiotics and personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are important for preventing the emergence and cross-transmission of NDM strains.
Ends/Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:47
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