Next Pandemic May Come From Super Bacteria Unleashed by Melting Permafrost

Scientists in Antarctica have found strains of a "superpower" bacteria that could unleash the next devastating pandemic that the world could see, Newsweek reports. Climate change might cause the frozen reservoir to thaw that could put the super bacteria in motion.

The researchers discovered that the bacteria have built-in antibiotic resistance, which could potentially render current treatments ineffective. The discovery was uncovered when Chilean researchers were investigating how climate change would affect the propagation of germs that had been frozen in ice for thousands of years.

The researchers warned that the bacterium could expand outside polar zones and potentially cause devastating repercussions as a result of climate change.

Andres Marcoleta, a researcher from the University of Chile, led the study which was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment in March.

Superpowers and Resistance Genes

Marcoleta claims that Mobile DNA pieces have "superpowers" that have developed to withstand severe environments and can be easily passed on to other bacteria.

He added that the soils of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the polar places most damaged by melting ice, house a wide variety of bacteria, and that some of them could be a source of ancestral genes that confer antibiotic resistance,

Between 2017 and 2019, the university researchers obtained a variety of samples from the Antarctic Peninsula.

Their studies have shown that many of the microorganisms were almost indestructible.

The samples showed surprising adaptations and abilities, which includes being highly resistant to the impacts of a wide range of antibiotic classes and other hazardous substances.

The researchers discovered that Pseudomonas bacteria, one of the most abundant bacteria on the peninsula, are not pathogenic. However, the bacteria can be a source of "resistance genes" that are resistant to conventional disinfectants such as copper, chlorine, and quaternary ammonium.

According to Marcoleta, they discovered that Polaromonas bacteria, which are also common in polar conditions, had the potential to deactivate beta-lactam type antibiotics, which are vital for the treatment of many types of diseases.

The researcher stated that it is worth wondering if climate change has any impact on the occurrence of infectious diseases.

Read also: Seasonal Allergies Are Getting More Severe Due to Climate Change 

Effects of Climate Change

Marcoleta warned that the newly discovered genes might potentially leave the frozen reservoir, putting in motion the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

The researcher added that it does not seem unreasonable that the resistance genes could someday reach microorganisms that cause diseases in humans or other animals. This would give stronger resistance capabilities to the microorganisms making it difficult to protect humans or other animals against diseases.

Marcoleta stressed that the discoveries could prompt scientists to predict the evolution of novel resistance mechanisms in infectious diseases and lead to the development of new antibiotics.

On the other hand, he also pointed out that some of these bacteria's features could have other vital biotechnological applications.

Marcoleta stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught humanity that microorganisms, particularly viruses, can have worldwide repercussions, making questioning the impact of climate change on the occurrence of infectious diseases a worthy cause.

One of the most well-known immediate repercussions of climate change is the melting of the North and South Poles.

The research will continue in a new and larger-scale research initiative called "Anillo mBioClim."

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