The study began with 50 samples gathered between 1941 and 1947, and it was discovered that these samples contained seven distinct species of Streptococcus, including two subspecies of S. dysgalactiae. Surprisingly, some of the samples showed resistance to the antibiotic tetracycline and did not possess the usual antibiotic resistance genes found in today’s antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Because these samples were collected before the antibiotic era, the findings contribute to the increasing evidence that antibiotic resistance existed naturally before the discovery and use of antibiotics by humans. <p id=”fir
In the 1940s, the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science acquired a lyophilizer, a machine used to freeze-dry samples, according to CVMDL Director Dr. Guillermo Risatti. The microbiology lab at the time was heavily involved in testing dairy farm milk in the area. The new equipment led to the lyophilization of hundreds of samples.
These milk samples have been kept in storage since then. The only information available is that they containRisatti, along with his colleagues from CVMDL, including Dr. Zeinab Helal, Ji-Yeon Hyeon and Dong-Hun Lee, wanted to study the history of Streptococcus bacteria from the 1940s. Due to the loss of data over the years, the researchers do not have precise details about the origin of the samples. However, they can make some deductions based on what they know about the department’s history.Most of the samples originated from Connecticut or nearby areas, but it is unclear exactly where,” Risatti explains. “It is likely that this laboratory initially offered testing services to local residents, as it was primarily a pathology lab. However, it has since transformed into a diagnostic lab, and we now receive samples from various locations, including New York and New Jersey.”
Studying the contents of these historical samples could potentially contribute to unexpected research findings, but the initial challenge lies in reconstructing the missing information. To address this, Risatti and the team have implemented a workflow that utilizes standard techniques to streamline the analysis of visual characteristics.The researchers focused on identifying the different characteristics, or phenotype, of various Streptococcus species and conducting genomic sequencing to study their genetic makeup.
Various species of Streptococcus employ different approaches to causing disease in the organisms they infect. These virulence factors serve as a way to distinguish one Streptococcus species from another and are used in phenotypic analysis. Another aspect of phenotypic analysis involves testing bacteria for their susceptibility to antibiotics.
The researchers began with 50 samples collected from 1941 to 1947, and they discovered that these samples contained seven different Streptococcus species, with two subcategories.species of S. dysgalactiae. Researchers discovered that some of the samples were resistant to the antibiotic tetracycline and did not carry the typical antibiotic resistance genes found in today’s antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. These findings are significant because the samples were collected before the antibiotic era, adding to the growing body of evidence that antibiotic resistance occurred naturally before the discovery and use of antibiotics by humans. “Antibiotic resistance is a very big area of research, and it has been for many years,” says Risatti. “We did not go any further with oUnfortunately, we are unable to provide an analysis at this time, but we aim to make this information accessible to the public. I believe it could be a starting point for someone to delve deeper into the topic. Risatti hopes to collaborate with major agencies such as the CDC and the Department of Public Health to support research on antibiotic resistance. Risatti also commended the work of students Jillian Baron ’24 (CAHNR) and Patricia Arceta ’24 (CAHNR) in developing the workflow, stating that it provides a valuable platform for undergraduate students to gain experience and publish their findings. He expressed surprise at the enthusiasm of these young individuals and is pleased to offer them the opportunity.
“We have the space to do these things,” Risatti said. Looking ahead, Risatti is enthusiastic about the possibility of future collaborations: “I hope that people can see a connection between what we do at CVMDL and human health.”
