A new study has raised concerns about the spread of antibiotic resistance to one of Earth’s most remote regions—the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Circle.

Researchers have discovered a strain of Staphylococcus saprophyticus in the area that is fully resistant to four common antibiotics: cefixime, norfloxacin, azithromycin, and metronidazole. Genetic tests revealed several resistance-related genes, especially the vanY gene, along with sdrM and sepA, which help the bacteria survive by targeting antibiotics and pushing them out of their cells.

Scientists say the presence of these superbugs in such a pristine environment shows that human activity is already impacting Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem. This could lead to wider consequences for public health through the food chain and ecological interactions.

The findings were published on May 28, 2025, in Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing under the title “Antibiotic resistance profiling and comparative genomics of cold-adapted Staphylococcus saprophyticus from the Southern Ocean.”