A novel way to stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

NEW DELHIDNA metallo-beta-lactamase is a bacterial enzyme that poses a serious threat to people. It grants its host resistance to carbapenems and other beta-lactam antibiotics used by doctors around the world as a last line of defence against stubborn infections. And, as if that were not bad enough, it also confers protection against sunlight.This second protection matters because, in many places, the idea that sunlight is the best disinfectant is no mere metaphor. Part of the treatment of sewage water in sunny climes is often to leave it out in the sun, permitting ultraviolet light to inflict damage to the complex molecules, such as , that sustain bacterial life. Bacteria that survived such assault would be available to cause disease, or to pass their genes on to others that do so.