Dissemination of Ndm-1(superbug) in Holy Ganges and Its Implications for Human Health

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Escherichia coli constitute a serious threat to global health since it is found to be highly resistant to most of the currently available antibiotics including carbapenems. Gram-negative bacterial strains with NDM-1 (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1) gene, also called the superbug, detected in Ganges water. The New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) increases bacterial resistance to a broad range of antibiotics, and bacteria that produce it can cause mutation in genes through different processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). NDM-1 genes prevailed through several treatment units including disinfection by chlorination in WWTPs in Ganga River near Haridwar and Rishikesh (Uttarakhand). The study brings out various reasons of breeding superbugs in Ganges and measures to combat them. The overall prevalence of NDM-1 varied between 8.1% in isolates of E coli and 38.02% in the isolates of K pneumoniae — two types of bacteria found commonly in post-operative patients and immune-compromised patients. NDM-1 genes were present at much higher concentrations in dewatered waste sludge that is applied to soils. This concern was validated by a conjugation experiment with Ganga River sediment isolated from a WWTP.