A type of MRSA evolved in hedgehogs long before the first antibiotics

  • 📰 newscientist
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 72 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 51%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

A strain of the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA appears to have evolved in hedgehogs in the early 1800s – long before the introduction of antibiotics.

like methicillin. As a result, it can cause infections that can be difficult to treat. Most cases are picked up in hospitals, and some are fatal.Over the past decade or so, researchers have begun to find a type of MRSA known as mecC-MRSA in all sorts of wildlife, including boars, storks, snakes and hedgehogs.

While mecC-MRSA seems to be relatively uncommon in most of these species, researchers have found it in plenty of hedgehogs. To find out why, Ewan Harrison at the University of Cambridge and his colleagues studied swab samples from 276 European hedgehogs from 10 European countries and New Zealand. Hedgehogs from Greece, Romania, France, Italy and Spain didn’t seem to have any mecC-MRSA on their skin. But others did – 66 per cent of hedgehogs from England and Wales tested positive for the bacteria, for example.living on their skin. This fungus is known to produce chemicals that can kill bacteria.made an antibiotic called KPN that could kill mecC-MRSA only when the bacterium’s genes for antibiotic resistance were removed.

By comparing the number of mutations in strains of the bacterium, the team estimate that the mecC-MRSA arose in hedgehogs around 1800 – long before the introduction of methicillin in 1959. MecC-MRSA can cause infections in people, but these are rare. It is unlikely that humans will pick up MRSA from hedgehogs, because we don’t often interact with them. But mecC-MRSA can pass from hedgehogs to livestock, which are more likely to pass an infection to people.– even new drugs that might seem to kill many types of bacteria, says Harrison. “Resistance is out there,” he says. “Just because we haven’t seen it in humans, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist somewhere and can’t end up in humans.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

The earth is ALIVE!

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 541. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Adele Earns an 18th Week at No. 1 on Artist 100 Chart, Hits Billboard 200 MilestoneAdele tallies an 18th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated Jan. 8), holding as the top musical act in the U.S. thanks to the continued success of her album 30 and its first two si… Adele Well, we tried. Just couldn't quite make it high enough to knock her out of number one. Adele Yes... DayTitsDreamers Adele Queen 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️
Source: billboard - 🏆 112. / 63 Read more »

Meet the Hyperfighter, a New Electric Naked Bike With 200 HP and a 146-Mile RangeThe range-topper can also cover 146 miles on a single charge.
Source: RobbReport - 🏆 309. / 63 Read more »

Nearly 200 Dallas police and Fire-Rescue workers quarantined in latest COVID-19 surgeMore than three-quarters of the infected first responders, 155, are Dallas fire workers. It’s the highest amount of fire staff out at once, said Jason...
Source: dallasnews - 🏆 18. / 71 Read more »

Rare 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints discovered on beach in Wales, scientists believeResearchers believe that the area may have once been a trample ground in the Triassic period for sauropodomorphs — massive, herbivorous, long-necked dinosaurs. I just can't believe I made $15k in just 7days after investing just $1000😯 although I was being skeptical at first but I was like what the heck let see how it goes behold few days later i made $15k. Thank you shelia_A_Gooch I'll definitely recommend you for everyone to invest Now it's a new beginning to start up something good I won't take this alone by myself I don't care what you are going to say but just want to say Indeed tyron is worth of trust in this crypto business he handles my trade well. thanks allot tyron_robert7 I know we all probably might have heard about Bitcoin but don't know how it works, I tried it in a week ago by a man who recommended me to LeticiaThomas90 on Twitter she guides me through and i made a return of $10500 after a week of trading, connect with her LeticiaThomas90
Source: CBSNews - 🏆 87. / 68 Read more »

Ben Smith leaving New York Times, says he wants to reach 200 million 'college educated' audienceThe media columnist is set to launch a 'global news start-up' with Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith. 那男的像个小白脸 Great, another Vox. Just what we all needed. Hi everybody. I am a pensioner in Russia. I look after a handful of stray cats in the neighborhood, and it's hard for me to do it alone, pensions in Russia are very small (my $ 250 month).Please read me and give at least minimal help. At least with a retweet.Thanks! cats help
Source: FoxNews - 🏆 9. / 87 Read more »

Mayor Lightfoot, Supt. Brown Again Complain About Violent Criminals On Electronic Monitoring, Say 200 More CPD Detectives Will Come On This YearChicago Police this year will be adding 200 more detectives while focusing on fighting gangs and illegal gun trafficking, while also focusing on the root causes of crime, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and police Supt. David Brown said Tuesday. And job 1 will be to make sure they're equitable in their arrests and never ever, under any circumstances, give chase.
Source: cbschicago - 🏆 546. / 51 Read more »