Scientists find ‘jumping’ superbug gene resistant to even strongest antibiotics

Experts have already showed concerns over antibiotic-resistant bugs, but recently a new gene has been found that enables infectious bacteria to survive even the strongest antibiotics, hence, adding to the concerns over formation of antibiotic-resistant superbug.

Biologists from Cornell University have discovered a previously unknown bacterial gene called ‘mcr-9’, which when activated makes the bacteria resistant to an ‘antibiotic of last resort’ known as colistin that treats infections caused by bacteria already resistant to other medicines.

According to the study, the perilous bacterial gene is greatly mobile, with the ability to ‘jump to other bacteria or organisms’. It can swap genetic information into its DNA, and the readiness with which mcr-9 is transferable means that this antibiotic resistance can quickly reproduce, making all the existing treatments useless, reported Futurism.

Researchers discover new drug-resistant superbug spreading in hospitals

If the bacteria and gene were to spread, doctors worry that it can lead to a dangerous and maybe untreatable superbug, as per the study published in the journal Mbio.

“If you go to a hospital and this gene is floating around, that can be trouble. The gene is moveable. It jumps,” said lead researcher Martin Wiedmann. “In treatments, if colistin does not work, it literally could mean death for patients. If colistin resistance spreads, a lot of people will die.”

However, the plus point is that identifying the gene responsible for colistin resistance means that doctors can possibly screen for it when admitting a patient into a hospital, which could help bugs equipped with mcr-9 from spreading.