NASA has discovered 13 strains of a multidrug-resistant bacterium, Enterobacter bugandensis, on the International Space Station (ISS). This "superbug" has mutated and become genetically distinct from its terrestrial counterparts, developing resistance to drugs in the isolated environment of the ISS.
A study by IIT Madras and NASA researchers focused on understanding the prevalence, distribution, colonization patterns, and adaptations of E. bugandensis, a multidrug-resistant pathogen isolated from various ISS surfaces, over time.
The research revealed that E. bugandensis on the ISS had well-developed systems for growth, iron acquisition, and interaction with other organisms. Its mutated strains were genetically and functionally distinct from their Earth counterparts under stress conditions, indicating their ability to adapt and persist in the extreme space environment.
The researchers identified genomic features, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and a complex web of interactions between E. bugandensis and other microorganisms aboard the ISS, influencing microbial growth dynamics and potentially posing health risks, especially to the respiratory system.
Microorganisms, or microbes, are among the oldest known inhabitants on Earth, constantly adapting and surviving inhospitable conditions, including microgravity and harsh space environments. The unique space environment forces microbes like E. bugandensis to adapt and undergo genomic changes to survive, making them genetically distinct from Earth strains and developing resistance to different antibiotics, similar to Earth pathogens.
The ISS harbors a diverse array of microbes, including bacterial and fungal phyla, raising questions about the safety of humans sharing enclosed zero-gravity environments with them. NASA aims to identify potentially contaminating microorganisms through studies like the ongoing one on E. bugandensis growth and drug resistance.
Research is ongoing to develop countermeasures against potential diseases on the ISS, as astronauts' weakened immune systems and limited access to medical facilities make the discovery of the superbug concerning, posing a threat to astronauts on the ISS.
The research on 'Enterobacter bugandensis' was led by Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with further research carried out by a joint team from JPL and IIT-Madras.
NASA clarified that an audio stream of a medical emergency on the ISS was part of a drill and not a real incident, confirming the crew and spacecraft were safe.
Sources: USA Today, Mashable, PopSci, Independent, New Indian Express, RepublicWorld, Times of India, Jagran Josh, SciTechDaily, Digital Trends, News9Live, Pune Pulse, The Print, FirstPost, SheThePeople, India Today, NewsMobile, BusinessPostBD.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
