Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of ancient bacteria trapped in ice. This ancient bacteria could provide insights into antibiotic resistance—and potentially exacerbate the existing problem.

A recent study published in Frontiers of Microbiology highlights the analysis conducted by Romanian scientists on the antibiotic resistance profiles of these ancient bacterial strains.

Known as Cyclobacter SC65A.3, these bacteria have been preserved for approximately 5,000 years beneath a thick layer of ice in Scalisoara Cave, located in northwestern Romania.

According to the study authors, “These ancient bacteria are invaluable for science and medicine; however, meticulous handling and laboratory safety measures are crucial to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled spread.” Dr. Cristina Purcarea, a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biology, emphasized this point.

As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, conventional antibiotics may soon become ineffective in treating infections.

The issue of antibiotic resistance is largely driven by overuse. However, Professor Purcarea noted that Cyclobacter SC65A.3, recovered from thousands-of-years-old ice deposits, reveals the natural evolution of antibiotic resistance long before the introduction of modern antibiotics.

To recover this bacterial strain, scientists drilled a 25-meter ice core representing a 13,000-year timeline and transported the frozen samples in sterile bags to their laboratory.

Once in the lab, researchers analyzed the bacterial DNA embedded in the ice chips to explore how the bacteria survived such frigid temperatures and how they interacted with various antibiotics.

Scientists found that Cyclobacter possessed over 100 genes related to antibiotic resistance.

They tested these bacteria against 28 different antibiotics and discovered resistance to 10 of them, which included drugs used to treat infections of the lungs, skin, blood, reproductive system, and urinary tract.

Purcarea noted, “The 10 antibiotics to which we found resistance are commonly used in both oral and injectable therapies for a variety of serious bacterial infections in clinical settings.”

The findings suggest that strains capable of surviving in cold environments may serve as reservoirs for genes that aid in drug resistance.

“As the ice melts and releases these microorganisms, their resistance genes could spread to modern bacteria, further complicating the global issue of antibiotic resistance,” Purcarea explained.

Nevertheless, there is a silver lining. Cyclobacter SC65A.3 contains nearly 600 genes with unknown functions, including 11 genes that have the potential to kill other microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

This indicates that this strain could pave the way for the development of new treatments and therapies, particularly against major antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Read more: