According to the new study conducted by researchers of the University of Bern in Switzerland 'harmless' bacteria found in milk and products like cheese may carry a new antibiotic resistance gene which could jeopardise the use of last resort drugs to treat superbug infections in humans

This study identified the antibiotic resistance gene in bacteria from dairy cows. This gene confers resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics including the last generation of cephalosporins used against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Vincent Perreten from University of Bern said, "We were intrigued by this novel resistance in M caseolyticus and wanted to know what was behind this resistance,"

"So far, we do not have any indication of the presence of mecD in humans, but its transfer from M caseolyticus to S aureus would further limit therapeutic options of this pathogen. It is imperative to keep an eye on the evolution and spread of this novel resistance gene in both human and animal bacteria," he added