Tag Archives: MultidrugResistant

5,000-Year-Old Cave Ice Reveals Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Strain: A Groundbreaking Discovery

Posted on by
Reply

Scientists have discovered Cyclobacter cryohalorentis seeds in the 5,000-year-old ice of the Scalisoara Ice Cave in Romania. The strain, designated SC65A.3, exhibits remarkable resistance to 10 widely used antibiotics, including treatments for severe infections like tuberculosis and urinary tract infections.

Isolated colony of Cyclobacter SC65A.3 on R2A medium at 4°C (A) and on TSA medium at 15°C (B). Image credit: Ioana Paun et al., doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1713017.

Cyclobacter is a genus that comprises approximately 50 bacterial species adapted to cold and saline environments.

First identified in 1986, Cyclobacter immobilis is recognized as the type species and has a broad distribution.

This species forms cream to orange colonies and is capable of growing at low temperatures, withstanding a range of 35-37°C and various salinities. Some species are known to be pathogenic to humans and animals.

Characteristically, they are strictly aerobic, catalase, and oxidase-positive, utilizing amino acids and organic acids as carbon sources, albeit demonstrating limited biochemical diversity.

“Despite its ancient origin, the SC65A.3 strain isolated from the Scalisoara Ice Cave is resistant to modern antibiotics and possesses over 100 resistance-related genes,” stated Dr. Cristina Purcarea, a researcher at the Biological Institute of the Romanian Academy in Bucharest.

“Moreover, it has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of several prominent antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’, showcasing significant enzymatic activity with considerable biotechnological potential.”

Cyclobacter SC65A.3 was isolated from a 5,000-year-old ice layer within a 25.33-meter ice core in the Scalisoara Ice Cave.

“Our research on Cyclobacter SC65A.3, retrieved from ancient cave ice deposits, sheds light on how antibiotic resistance evolved naturally in the environment long before modern antibiotics were introduced,” Dr. Purcarea added.

Researchers sequenced the Cyclobacter SC65A.3 genome to pinpoint genes that allow bacteria to endure extreme cold and those that support antimicrobial resistance and activity.

They tested the strain against 28 antibiotics, including 10 commonly prescribed for bacterial infections, many of which are known to encounter resistance due to specific genes or mutations that diminish their effectiveness.

“The 10 antibiotics to which we found resistance are widely utilized in oral and injectable therapies for various serious bacterial infections in clinical settings,” Dr. Purcarea explained.

The resistance profile of this strain indicates that cold-adapted bacteria may act as reservoirs for resistance genes.

“As the ice melts and releases these microorganisms, the resistance genes could spread to contemporary bacteria, exacerbating the global challenge of antibiotic resistance,” Dr. Purcarea remarked.

“Conversely, they produce unique enzymes and antimicrobial compounds that could lead to the development of new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and other biotechnological advancements.”

These findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.

_____

Victoria Ioana Paun et al. 2026. First genome sequence and functional profiling of Cyclobacter SC65A.3 preserved in 5,000-year-old cave ice: Insights into ancient resistomes, antimicrobial power, and enzyme activity. Frontiers in Microbiology 16; doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1713017

Source: www.sci.news

Mutated, Genetically Unique Strains of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Found on the ISS by Biologists

Posted on by
Reply

Enterobacter bugandensis It is mainly present in clinical specimens such as the human gastrointestinal tract.

Example workflow illustrating the process of comparative genomics analysis Enterobacter bugandensis, its prevalence and metabolic interactions within the microbial community, and assess its adaptation success within the ISS habitat. Image credit: Sengupta other., doi: 10.1186/s40168-024-01777-1.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a testament to humanity's achievements in space exploration.

Despite a highly controlled environment characterized by microgravity, increased carbon dioxide levels, and increased solar radiation, microorganisms occupy a unique niche.

These resident microbial bacteria play an important role in influencing the health and well-being of astronauts.

One particularly interesting microorganism is the Enterobacter bugandensis, a Gram-negative bacterium notorious for its multidrug resistance.

“Microorganisms in the built environment have a significant impact on the health of residents,” says the lead author Dr. Kastri Venkateswaran by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and colleagues.

“The ISS is a highly controlled built environment with extreme conditions such as microgravity, solar radiation, and elevated carbon dioxide levels, providing a unique location to study microbial survival and adaptation. .”

“Recent studies have demonstrated that microorganisms exposed to microgravity acquire antibiotic resistance and become more virulent through rapid mutation and horizontal gene transfer.”

“Prolonged space travel in microgravity can compromise astronauts' immune systems and increase their vulnerability to disease.”

“The microbial population on the ISS can influence the astronauts' microbiome and could be replenished by the arrival of new crew members.”

“Understanding microbial colonization, inheritance, and interactions is therefore critical to ensuring the health of astronauts and managing microbial risks in isolated and confined human habitats.”

In the new study, the authors analyzed 13 bacterial strains. Enterobacter bugandensis It is isolated from the ISS.

Their results show that under stress these strains mutated and became genetically and functionally distinct compared to their terrestrial counterparts.

These strains were able to persist in large numbers on the ISS for long periods of time.

They coexisted with multiple other microorganisms, and in some cases may have helped those microorganisms survive.

“Our comprehensive analysis reveals not only how these interactions shape microbial diversity, but also the factors that may contribute to the potential dominance and inheritance of microorganisms. Ta. Enterobacter bugandensis within the ISS environment,” the researchers said.

“The implications of these findings are twofold,” they added.

“First, we shed light on the behavior, adaptation, and evolution of microorganisms in extreme and isolated environments.”

“Second, it highlights the need for strong precautions to ensure the health and safety of astronauts by mitigating risks associated with potential pathogen threats.”

of findings appear in the diary microbiome.

_____

P. Sengupta other. 2024. Genomic, functional, and metabolic enrichment in multidrug-resistant patients. Enterobacter bugandensis Facilitate survival and succession on the International Space Station. microbiome 12, 62; doi: 10.1186/s40168-024-01777-1

Source: www.sci.news