Emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in ancient deep-sea sediments predates anthropogenic antibiotic use

The study found five antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in deep-sea sediments, indicating that antibiotic resistance predates human use of antibiotics. These bacteria carried multiple antibiotic-resistant genes, similar to current antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The bacteria’s long history of coexistence with antibiotic-producing bacteria in the deep sea has evolved resistance to antibiotics. This provides insights into the natural origin and evolution of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria, aiding in developing sustainable strategies to mitigate antibiotic resistance.