A team of international researchers have recently discovered a superbug on the skin of wild hedgehogs. The superbug, which is a type of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, evolved naturally through a battle between bacteria and fungus on the skins of the hedgehogs.

The antibiotic-resistant superbug is said to have its beginnings before the discovery of antibiotics. According to the findings of the research, the skin fungus in hedgehogs has natural antibiotics and is said to have emerged over two centuries ago.

 First discovered in dairy cattle, the MRSA developed its resistance to antibiotics through the regular use of antibiotics on dairy farms.

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According to one of the lead researchers, Prof Mark Holmes, this instance is a rare example of resistance arising naturally. It represents the risks of extensive use of antibiotics, especially in human medicine.

 Overusing antibiotics in animals and humans can cause such resistance, giving rise to disease-causing strains such as the MecC-MRSA.

The study found that the phenomenon is widespread in nature, with half of the sample of hedgehogs having the MRSA.

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 The initial beginning of the resistant strain was discovered after researchers at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark, built a genetic code-based timeline after studying over 1,000 samples of bacteria taken from animals in Europe. The timeline found that the strain emerged in the early 1800s, long before antibiotics were put to clinical use.

The study found that the fungus on hedgehogs released penicillins and so, the bacteria growing on the skin had to gain resistance to it.

 Antibiotic resistance continues to be one of the greatest threats to mankind, in terms of health and food security. Even though the process occurs naturally, excessive or improper use of antibiotics can hasten the process. Infections like gonorrhoea, pneumonia and tuberculosis are now becoming more difficult to treat as antibiotics have begun to have lesser efficacy.