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NDM-1: Professor Timothy Walsh On Losing The Darwinian Battle

 

 

# 4809

 

 

From WalesOnline this morning, an interview with Professor Timothy Walsh of Cardiff University,  who envisions a world where antibiotics are no longer effective against some types of common bacteria.

 

Professor Walsh is one of the authors of The Lancet Study released last week (see NDM-1: A New Acronym To Memorize) on the rise of the NDM-1 gene, which can convey antibiotic resistance to various types of bacteria.

 

 

Scientist claims that we’ve lost the war against superbugs

Aug 15 2010 by Clare Hutchinson, Wales On Sunday

 

It’s an eye-opening article, and well worth following the link to read the whole thing.  There are some `ifs’ attached to this claim, however.

 

Such as:

 

`If it spreads around the world it could have devastating effects’

 

and

`If bacteria such as E.coli carrying the NDM-1 gene were able to infect people and spread as quickly as other similar bacteria it would be “a disaster”’

 

But the point is well taken.  

 

For years scientists have worried that our arsenal of antibiotics were losing their effectiveness – but it is now feared that NDM-1, which can be carried by a variety of different bacteria - could significantly speed up that process.

 

Although some may consider these warnings alarmist, the history of antivirals and antibiotics is littered with the names of drugs rendered ineffective by viral and bacterial evolution.

 


While the outcome may not be assured, it is valid to say we are engaged in an escalating and crucial arms race against a plethora of bacterial and viral enemies.

 

And they have the decided advantages of numbers, variety, stealth, and their ability to rapidly evolve, adapt, and work around our latest defenses.

 

There is an old joke that says; as a soon as somebody invents a better mousetrap, nature will begin to work on making a better mouse.

 

But in this case, it’s no joking matter.

 

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For some of the best coverage of NDM-1 on the net (or anyplace else, for that matter), I would direct you to Maryn McKenna’s Superbug Blog, and her two latest pieces on the subject:

NDM-1: Novel, global, complex and a serious threat
More on NDM-1

Related Post:

NDM-1
Antibiotic
Resistance

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