[b]University of Queensland[/b] researchers have discovered antibiotic resistant bacteria in the [b]Middle East[/b], which is cloaking itself in genetic material to avoid detection and placing the population at increased risk of deadly infections, reports [s]Health-Canal[/s]. Hosam Mamoon Zowawi, from the [b]UQ Centre for Clinical Research[/b], said the ‘phantom’ superbugs were found during a region-wide collaborative study on superbugs in the [b]Gulf Cooperation Council[/b] states of [b]Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman[/b] and [b]Bahrain[/b]. ‘Not only were the bacteria widespread, but they were found to be carrying genetic material which empowers them to resist antibiotics and avoid detection in routine laboratory testing. This means patients are not being treated quickly with the right antibiotics, allowing the bacteria time to spread.’ Zodwawi said.
[link url=http://www.healthcanal.com/infections/51502-%E2%80%98phantom%E2%80%99-superbugs-a-silent-killer.html]Full Health-Canal report[/link]
[link url=http://aac.asm.org/content/58/6/3085.abstract]ASM abstract[/link]