Researchers at the Romanian Academy have made a significant discovery by identifying a 5,000-year-old bacterial strain preserved in ice that exhibits resistance to 10 commonly used modern antibiotics. The strain, known as Psychrobacter SC65A.3, was found in Romania’s Scarisoara Ice Cave within a 25-meter ice core extracted from the Great Hall area, representing approximately 13,000 years of ice accumulation. To prevent contamination, samples were carefully transported in sterile conditions and kept frozen until laboratory analysis.
In laboratory tests, the bacterium was exposed to 28 antibiotics from 10 different classes commonly used in medical practice, including those for tuberculosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other serious bacterial illnesses. The results showed that the strain was resistant to all 10 classes of antibiotics tested, such as trimethoprim, clindamycin, and metronidazole. Genome sequencing revealed over 100 genes associated with antibiotic resistance, along with 11 genes believed to combat the growth of other bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Additionally, nearly 600 genes with unidentified functions were discovered, potentially representing new biological mechanisms.
This groundbreaking study adds to the ongoing scientific discussion surrounding the threats posed by melting permafrost and glaciers due to rising global temperatures. Recent research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B suggests that the increased melting of glaciers in the Arctic could elevate the risk of viral “spillover,” where pathogens transfer between species as changing environmental conditions bring them into contact with new hosts.
