Fact Box: HO41 Superbug
Doctors warn of Superbug in Japan deadlier than AIDS
As per doctors, a new sexually-transmitted superbug- antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhea HO41 – could ultimately prove to be even more deadly than AIDS.
The superbug- gonorrhoea strain HO41 which was discovered in Japan two years ago, is found to be more aggressive and affects more people quickly. It can cause septic shock and death in a matter of days.
What is a Superbug?
- Superbug is colloquial name for Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) pathogens usually bacteria.
- In case of MDR some (or, less commonly, all) sub-populations of a microorganism, usually a bacterial species, are able to survive after exposure to one or more antibiotics.
Some examples of MDR bacteria:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylo
coccus aureus (MRSA) - VISA (vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus)
- VRSA (vancomycin-resistant S. aureus)
- ESBL (Extended spectrum beta-lactamase)
- VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enteroco
ccus)
Month: Current Affairs - May, 2013
Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs