Question

What is NDM-1?

• A. National Defence Missile 1, developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a part of the comprehensive missile shield for India.
• B. A bacterial gene called New Delhi Metallolactamase-I, dubbed the 'superbug' because of it being resistant to most antibiotics.
• C. New Directions in Management I - the first among a series of international conferences on Management, to be inaugurated by Bill Gates in Mumbai in January 2012.
• D. A vision document on Disaster Management, released by Planning Commission.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

NDM-1 stands for New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase 1. It is a bacterial gene that confers resistance to a broad range of antibiotics, which makes the treatment of bacterial infections challenging. This gene gained notoriety for its ability to transfer antibiotic resistance between different types of bacteria, leading to the term 'superbug'. The presence of NDM-1 in bacteria is of great concern in the medical community because it limits the effectiveness of many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat infections. This discovery was particularly noted in bacteria from New Delhi, hence the name.