Pure Science: Antimicrobial resistance evolved naturally at least 100 years ago in hedgehogs

Antibiotic resistance is a leading medical problem exacerbated by indiscriminate overuse of antibiotics. But new findings reveal that resistance to antibiotics evolved naturally in bacteria over 100 years before humans started using the first antibiotic, penicillin. ThePrint’s Sandhya Ramesh explains findings from Denmark that examined hedgehogs across Europe and New Zealand, a one of a kind, meticulous sampling and tracing study of roadkills.

Supplementary reading: 

 

• Emergence of methicillin resistance predates the clinical use of antibiotics Nature paper