Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogen: Enterobacter Bugandensis
Context:
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are conducting research on multi-drug resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS).
More on News:
- Researchers studied Enterobacter bugandensis on ISS surfaces to assess its impact on astronauts’ well-being, published in Microbiome.
- The discovery has raised health concerns for astronauts, including Sunita Williams currently on the International Space Station (ISS).
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Multi-drug resistant pathogen (often abbreviated as MDR pathogen) is a microorganism, such as a bacterium, that has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics. This means the antibiotics that would normally be used to treat infections caused by this pathogen are no longer effective. |
Key Highlights
- Pathogen Characteristics: A prevalent notorious (hospital-acquired) infection pathogen.
- According to the 2018 report in Microbiology Resource Announcements, it is difficult to treat due to broad resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones.
- Member of the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) group of pathogens on WHO’s priority list for new antimicrobials.
- Findings: Isolated 13 strains of E bugandensis from various ISS surfaces.
- Primarily found in clinical specimens, including the human gastrointestinal tract.
- Strains exhibited accelerated mutations making them genetically and functionally distinct from Earth counterparts.
- These adaptations likely result from the distinct stresses of the space environment, including microgravity, elevated CO₂ levels, and increased solar radiation.
- Earth Applications: The findings hold promise for controlled settings on Earth.
- Including hospital intensive care units and surgical theaters, where multidrug-resistant pathogens pose significant challenges to patient care.
- Antimicrobial Treatments: Understanding the genomic adaptations of E. bugandensis can aid in developing targeted antimicrobial treatments.
- Microbial Contamination: Understanding the persistence and succession patterns of E. bugandensis in space can aid in developing effective strategies.
- For managing microbial contamination in closed environments like spacecraft and hospitals.
- Astronaut Health: Astronauts operating in altered immune conditions with limited access to traditional medical facilities face unique health challenges during space missions.
International Space Stations:
