‘Superbug’ discovery raises ‘health concerns’ for Sunita Williams, others aboard ISS

Astronauts on the ISS, including Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleagues, face heightened health risks due to the presence of this superbug.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are conducting a pivotal study on a ‘superbug’, a multidrug-resistant pathogen discovered on the International Space Station (ISS). The research has raised significant health concerns for astronauts, including Sunita Williams, currently aboard the ISS. The study of this pathogen also holds potential implications for managing similar threats on Earth.

The Superbug: Enterobacter bugandensis

The pathogen in question, Enterobacter bugandensis, is a common nosocomial bacterium known for its resistance to multiple drugs. This superbug has been found on various surfaces within the ISS, posing a unique challenge to the health and safety of astronauts.

Detection and Investigation

The presence of E. bugandensis on the ISS was highlighted in a new scientific paper funded by an Ames Space Biology grant. Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Principal Investigator at NASA’s JPL, spearheaded this research, isolating and studying strains of E. bugandensis from the ISS environment.

The study revealed that the strains had mutated and become genetically and functionally distinct from their Earth counterparts due to the extreme conditions of space.

Health Implications for Astronauts

Astronauts on the ISS, including Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleagues, face heightened health risks due to the presence of this superbug. The bacteria, which can infect the respiratory system, have adapted to the closed environment of the ISS, making them more potent and challenging to manage. The unique conditions of space, such as microgravity, radiation, and elevated carbon dioxide levels, contribute to the rapid evolution and persistence of such pathogens.

Research Collaboration and Findings

The collaboration between IIT-Madras and JPL brought together experts like Professor Karthik Raman from the Department of Data Science and AI at IIT-Madras, Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran from JPL, and research scholars from both institutions. Their study, published in the scientific journal Microbiome, indicated that E. bugandensis strains not only survived but thrived in the ISS environment, co-existing with other microorganisms and potentially aiding their survival.

The findings from this study have significant implications beyond the ISS. Understanding how benign microorganisms adapt and help opportunistic pathogens like E. bugandensis survive in extreme conditions can inform strategies to combat similar threats on Earth. The research emphasizes the need for effective preventative measures to protect astronaut health and ensure the safety of closed, human-built environments like the ISS.

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Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran noted, “Our research uncovers how certain benign microorganisms help to adapt and survive opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, in the unfavourable conditions of the International Space Station. The knowledge gained from this study would shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments that allow in designing novel countermeasure strategies to eradicate opportunistic pathogens, thus protecting the health of astronauts.”