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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 (September 30) a case of New Delhi metallo-£]-lactamase-5 (NDM-5) Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a 34-year-old woman with good past health.
The patient has developed painful and frequent urination with cloudy urine since September 16. She subsequently sought medical consultation from a private doctor and hospitalisation was not required. She has been in stable condition all along.
Her urine sample grew NDM-5 Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon laboratory testing by the PHLSB.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had travelled to multiple countries. Her home contacts are asymptomatic. Investigations are ongoing.
"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/Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:37
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