The Centre for Health Protection is following up with the World Health Organisation and other health authorities after an overseas report of the emergence of new antibiotic- resistant organism that harbour New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1, or NDM-1.

The NDM-1 enzyme can inactivate certain groups of antibiotics - such as  carbapenems and beta-lactams. This makes bacteria bearing this enzyme resistant to multiple drugs.

The centre will issue letters to doctors to alert them of the situation and will remain vigilant for changes in antibiotic resistance that may have public health significance.

The centre is also working with hospital laboratories to formalise an enhanced surveillance arrangement for such organisms.

The centre's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has been monitoring bacterias'  antibiotic-resistance pattern. Last October, its test results found one E. coli isolate with NDM-1 in a 66-year-old male patient who visited a government out-patient clinic.

The organism was susceptible to oral antibiotic agents commonly used to treat urinary tract infection, though, and the patient fully recovered.