Tetracycline-like Resistome of Ancient Human Guts

Tetracyclines were discovered over 70 years ago and their use resulted in the emergence of tetracycline-resistance microorganisms; however, it has been hypothesized that tetracyclineresistance may have originated in the environment, and that determinants were transferred to the human gut microbiota. Ancient microbiomes represent an opportunity to explore the transmission of tetracycline-resistance determinants from the environment to humans. In the present study, tetracycline-like resistomes of three pre-Inca/Inca (10-15th centuries), and five Italian nobility (15-16th centuries) mummies were characterized using high-throughput sequencing. Sequences exhibited low homology to present-day determinants. Results may also aid in the understanding of the evolution of tetracycline-resistance.