Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
CHP detects case of NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae
The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has identified a case of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae in a 64-year-old man.
The patient, with chronic illness, travelled to Thailand between April 8 and May 17. He developed fever, chills, rigor and inflammation of the left leg since April 19 and was diagnosed as having necrotising fasciitis. The patient was admitted to a hospital in Thailand on that same day.
He was then admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on May 18 for further treatment of his unhealed wound. His tissue culture grew NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae, as confirmed by the PHLSB. He has been in a stable condition all along.
Investigation by the CHP is continuing.
This is the ninth detected case of NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae in Hong Kong.
The spokesman explained that 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.
Infections have varied from being asymptomatic to 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.
NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae was first reported in a Swedish patient of Indian origin who travelled to New Delhi, India, in 2008. The first fatal case was identified in 2010 in a patient who received medical treatment in Pakistan before being repatriated to Belgium.
NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae has now been reported in many countries and regions including Australia, Austria, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Sweden, Singapore, Taiwan, the UK and the US. Most patients had prior hospital contact in the Indian subcontinent.
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/Friday, June 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:28
NNNN
- ------The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has identified a case of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae in a 64-year-old man.
The patient, with chronic illness, travelled to Thailand between April 8 and May 17. He developed fever, chills, rigor and inflammation of the left leg since April 19 and was diagnosed as having necrotising fasciitis. The patient was admitted to a hospital in Thailand on that same day.
He was then admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on May 18 for further treatment of his unhealed wound. His tissue culture grew NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae, as confirmed by the PHLSB. He has been in a stable condition all along.
Investigation by the CHP is continuing.
This is the ninth detected case of NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae in Hong Kong.
The spokesman explained that 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.
Infections have varied from being asymptomatic to 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.
NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae was first reported in a Swedish patient of Indian origin who travelled to New Delhi, India, in 2008. The first fatal case was identified in 2010 in a patient who received medical treatment in Pakistan before being repatriated to Belgium.
NDM Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae has now been reported in many countries and regions including Australia, Austria, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Sweden, Singapore, Taiwan, the UK and the US. Most patients had prior hospital contact in the Indian subcontinent.
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/Friday, June 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:28
NNNN