Carbapenemases: The New Face of Antimicrobial Resistance.

ABSTRACT

With the advent of antibiotics, a new era ushered in bringing within its folds, a strong defense against the invading deadly microorganisms. This phenomenon is referred to as antimicrobial resistance. Carbapenemases are b-lactamases which hydrolyse carbapenems. The enzyme, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) breaks this ring, rendering the drug ineffective. NDM-1 producing bacteria are resistant to many existing antibiotics including carbapenems - a class of drug often reserved for emergency use and last resort treatment.