• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Roundups
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
Environment, Health, Science

Superbug genes found in the (formerly) last pristine place on Earth

Avatar for Jessica Baron, PhD Jessica Baron, PhD February 3, 2019

Well, so much for the idea of a place on Earth untouched by bad human decisions.

Antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), the result of overzealous prescription of antibiotics by doctors that lead to drug-resistant infections, have been found in the High Arctic, specifically the Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard.

Soil samples taken from the area have confirmed the presence of the blaNDM-1 gene, which was originally identified in 2008 in Delhi and two years later in the surface waters of the region. The blaNDM-1, as well as other ARGs, can now be found in Arctic soils, according to researchers from Newcastle University. The researchers say they were likely brought there by birds, other wildlife, and human visitors to the area and deposited into the soil via the fecal matter of these visitors.

The lead researcher on the study, Professor David Graham noted that polar regions like Kongsfjorden “are among the last presumed pristine ecosystems on Earth,” and

“Encroachment into areas like the Arctic reinforces how rapid and far-reaching the spread of antibiotic resistance has become, confirming solutions to AR must be viewed in global rather than just local terms.”

This discovery adds more fuel to the growing public health crisis posed by antibiotic-resistant infections. Drug development and testing simply can’t keep up with ever-evolving diseases. And while we’ve long known the role of overprescribing antibiotics in creating new and hard-to-treat infections, this hasn’t stopped patients from demanding (and doctors from prescribing) antibiotics in inappropriate ways.

The Newcastle study was designed to track a specific protein the confers resistance on a range of bacteria called NDM-1. It was first identified in New Delhi and is coded by the blaNDM-1 gene. Since its original identification ins 2008, the resistant gene has been found in over 100 countries and new variants continue to pop up, making a solution even more elusive.

Currently, the last resort for multidrug-resistant infections is a class of drug called Carbapenems. There are very few antibiotics that can combat bacteria resistant to Carbapenems, so the spread of  blaNDM-1 and related ARGs is a huge public health conundrum.

According to Graham,

“What humans have done through excess use of antibiotics on global scales is accelerate the rate of evolution, creating a new world of resistant strains that never existed before.

Through the overuse of antibiotics, fecal releases and contamination of drinking water, we have consequentially speeded-up the rate at which superbugs might evolve.”

Good job, humanity.

Another member of the team, Dr. Clare McCann, of Newcastle University noted that:

“The only way we are going to win this fight is to understand all pathways that lead to antibiotic resistance.

Clearly, improved antibiotic stewardship in medicine and agriculture is crucial, but understanding how resistance transmission occurs through water and soils is also critical. We contend that improved waste management and water quality on a global scale is a key step.”

Related Tags: ARGs Discovery Scientific Research

Related Stories

  • A plant has sprouted on the moon!

    A plant has sprouted on the moon!

  • Piles; Advancements in its solutions

    Piles; Advancements in its solutions

  • Can telehealth be convenient and compassionate?

    Can telehealth be convenient and compassionate?

Avatar for Jessica Baron, PhD

Jessica Baron, PhD

Former Editor-in-chief

I am a technology writer and tech ethics consultant whose work has appeared in international news and trade outlets. I have a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science and write about everything from future military weapons to advances in medicine.

Reader Interactions

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • Samsung S21 series is here and we’ve got everything you need to know
  • Best laptop cooling pads for 2021 on Amazon
  • Best standing desks on Amazon for 2021
  • 14 best educational apps of 2021
  • Best long-range outdoor WiFi extender for 2021
Car Phone Mount illustration

9 best car phone mounts for 2021

YouTube to MP3 Converters

7 Best Youtube to MP3 Converters for 2021

A screenshot of dark mode on Chrome running on Windows 10

How to enable dark mode in Google Chrome (Windows)

An image of a computer

4 ways to fix a slow-loading website

Footer

About Us

  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy & Practice
  • Contact us

Discover

  • About
  • Newsroom
  • Advertise
  • Brand Kit
  • Partners
  • Staff
  • Our Ethics
  • Publication Principles
  • Contact us

Legal Pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Cookies Policy
  • Comments Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.