Superbug threat in Delhi
Every year in winter the pollution level increases significantly in Delhi. Because of this, people suffer from burning sensation in the eyes, difficulty in breathing and increasing cough. But this time due to pollution, there is a danger of a superbug looming in the capital, which can be dangerous for health. A new study by Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has pointed towards this serious danger. According to research, dangerous bacteria which are not affected by antibiotics are also present in the toxic winter air of Delhi, which is becoming a big threat to people’s health.
This study titled Distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns of airborne staphylococci in urban environments of Delhi, India has been published in the international journal Nature Scientific Reports (www.nature.com/scientificreports). This research has been done by scientists from JNU’s School of Environmental Sciences.
Study conducted in these areas
Researchers collected air samples from several real urban areas of Delhi, including. Crowded markets. Urban slums. Residential apartment. Sewage treatment plant located in JNU campus. Indoor and outdoor air at all these locations was examined during the three seasons of summer, monsoon and winter, to understand how bacteria and their drug-resistance changes with season.
The study found that the amount of bacteria present in the air of Delhi is much more than the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In some winter samples, the amount of bacteria was found to be more than 16,000 CFU per cubic meter, which is 16 times the WHO limit.
This is how it can become deadly
Research has revealed that many bacteria found in the air belong to the Staphylococcus group, which can cause skin infections, pneumonia, blood infections and hospital diseases. The most worrying thing is that a large number of bacteria found to be Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), i.e. such bacteria on which common antibiotics do not have any effect. In such a situation, there is a risk of many diseases not being treated, which can prove fatal.
Danger is highest in winter
According to research, in winter, when pollution is at its peak, the number of such dangerous bacteria in the air is highest. At the same time, due to rain during monsoon, the level of bacteria in the outside air reduces to some extent. Scientists say that polluted air is not only causing respiratory diseases, but now it can also become a medium for spreading antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is considered one of the world’s biggest health threats, especially to children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity.
What do researchers say?
Researchers have said that antibiotic resistance is no longer limited to hospitals only, but has also spread in the air of urban environments. He has appealed to the government and health agencies to regularly monitor AMR in the environment and formulate a concrete and integrated strategy to deal with it. This study clearly indicates that Delhi’s winter air is bringing with it not only pollution but also the threat of superbugs.
73 percent bacteria were found to be multi drug resistant (MDR)
There was resistance against common drugs like macrolides, beta-lactams, trimethoprim, gentamicin. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were confirmed in genetic testing. MecA gene was found in 14 out of 36 multi-drug resistant bacteria, which renders methicillin and related drugs ineffective.