In the historic city of Bath, UK, scientists have unearthed a promising new avenue in the global war against antibiotic resistance. The Roman Baths, renowned for their healing waters since antiquity, may hold a trove of novel antimicrobial agents.

The fascinating discovery, detailed in a recent study, echoes the ancient Roman beliefs in the curative powers of these thermal waters, now underpinned by modern scientific inquiry.

The study, conducted at the University of Plymouth and published in The Microbe journal, analyzed samples from the Roman Baths’ hot springs. Utilizing advanced sequencing technology alongside traditional culturing methods, the team isolated around 300 distinct bacterial types.

Notably, groups known for antibiotic production, Actinobacteria and Myxococcota, were prominent. “This study has for the first time demonstrated some of the microorganisms present within the Roman Baths, revealing it as a potential source of novel antimicrobial discovery,” Dr. Lee Hutt, the study’s senior author, stated.

The urgency of this research cannot be overstated. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a dire threat to global health, with over 1.27 million deaths annually attributed to drug-resistant infections. Dr. Hutt emphasized the gravity of the situation, “Antimicrobial resistance is recognized as one of the most significant threats to global health, and the hunt for novel antimicrobial natural products is gathering pace.”

Further tests from the study revealed that 15 bacterial isolates exhibited inhibition against formidable pathogens such as E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella flexneri. These discoveries underscore the Roman Baths as a potential font of antimicrobial agents, which may be vital in the development of new antibiotics.

The need for new antibiotics is pressing, as current medications are increasingly thwarted by resistant bacteria, causing a staggering number of deaths globally each year.

The Roman Baths’ research team acknowledges that “a significant amount of additional investigation is required” before these microorganisms can be leveraged in the fight against disease. Nonetheless, the initial findings present clear potential for exploration.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reinforces the severity of AMR, flagging it as one of the top 10 global health threats.

The “Bracing for Superbugs” report urges a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, plant, and environmental health considerations. This resonates with the Roman Baths study’s ecological perspective, seeking solutions within nature’s reservoirs.

Zofia Matyjaszkiewicz, Collections Manager at the Roman Baths and co-author, reflected on the historical significance: “People have visited the springs in Bath for thousands of years… It’s really exciting to see cutting-edge scientific research like this taking place here, on a site with so many stories to tell.”

This groundbreaking research is set to expand with a dedicated PhD studentship beginning in October 2024, focusing on antimicrobial discovery within the UK’s thermal hot springs.

The goal is to identify microorganisms with clinical potential, a quest that aligns with the UNEP’s call to address environmental dimensions of AMR and sustain progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

The Roman Baths’ microorganisms, therefore, represent an intersection of history, science, and modern healthcare. From the ruins of an ancient empire to today’s laboratories, they emerge not only as a testament to Roman ingenuity but as potential saviors in our contemporary medical arsenal.

The Romans’ faith in the healing power of these waters might soon be validated by the very science they unknowingly harbored, offering new hope in our perpetual battle against disease.

Relevant articles:
– Could the world famous Roman Baths help scientists counter the challenge of antibiotic resistance?, ScienceDaily
– Antimicrobial resistance: a global threat, unep.org
– Roman Baths may harbour novel antimicrobial natural products, The Hindu
– What Britain’s famed Roman Baths could teach us about microbes, Popular Science