The perils of medical tourism: NDM-1-positive Escherichia coli causing febrile neutropenia in a medical tourist

Singapore Med J. 2011 Apr;52(4):299-302.

Abstract

NDM-1 is a new metallo-beta-lactamase that readily hydrolyses carbapenems, penicillins and cephalosporins. Its rising incidence has been reported in many countries around the world, with many cases linked to a possible origin from the Indian subcontinent. Due to the lack of effective antibiotic regimes to treat these infections, the increased prevalence of NDM-1 is alarming. We describe a case of NDM-1 infection in an immunocompromised foreign patient, and discuss its implications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fever / diagnosis*
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Incidence
  • Medical Tourism
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutropenia / diagnosis*
  • Neutropenia / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis*
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-lactamase NDM-1