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Ancient Bacteria from Romanian Ice Cave Shows Resistance to Modern Antibiotics

KVIA•Friday, February 20, 2026 at 8:41 PM•CNN Newsource

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Researchers have discovered a strain of ancient bacteria, Psychrobacter SC65A.3, in a 5,000-year-old ice sample from Scarisoara cave in Romania. This strain exhibits resistance to 10 modern antibiotics, including those used to treat infections like tuberculosis. While the bacteria are not harmful to humans, their resistance highlights the natural evolution of antibiotic resistance long before the advent of modern medicine. As climate change causes glaciers to melt, there is a concern that ancient microbes could re-emerge, potentially impacting current ecosystems. The findings may also aid the search for new antibiotic treatments as the world grapples with rising antimicrobial resistance, which is linked to millions of deaths annually.

Key Details: • The bacteria were found in a 25-meter ice core from Scarisoara cave. • Psychrobacter SC65A.3 is resistant to 10 antibiotics, including trimethoprim and clindamycin. • Research indicates that ancient microbes may provide insights for developing new antibiotics. • The World Health Organization reports nearly 5 million deaths yearly due to antimicrobial resistance.

health research climate-change antibiotic-resistance bacteria

People & Organizations

World Health OrganizationRomaniaCristina PurcareaMatthew HollandScarisoara caveInstitute of Biology Bucharest

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