NASA is worried about mutant bacteria in the Space Station spreading to Earth

Will Earth soon be invaded by a super drug-resistant mutant bacteria from the International Space Station (ISS), like in science fiction movies?

Scientists have shown in a recent study that a type of bacteria brought back by astronauts from Earth has survived and adapted to the harsh environment on the ISS. It is so dangerous that it has become extremely resistant to antibiotics.

Specifically, researchers have identified the presence of Enterobacter bugandensis bacteria on the ISS.

The presence of a potentially dangerous mutated bacteria on the International Space Station (ISS) makes NASA worried (Illustration: Trust my science).

They despite the strictly controlled and rather harsh environment in the ISS station (due to microgravity, high CO ₂ concentrations and increased solar radiation), have survived and adapted in the astronauts' workplaces. astronaut.

Health threat

Unlike some bacterial species that have grown inside the ISS, Enterobacter bugandensis is a different story.

They are naturally present in our gut microbiota, which have now mutated to adapt to the space environment.

During the Microbial Monitoring mission, scientists isolated 13 strains of these bacteria present in many different locations on the ISS.

They classified them as ESKAPEE - pathogens that are extremely resistant to all forms of treatment.

Mutated Enterobacter bugandensis can cause serious blood infections in humans. This worries NASA, especially since the space environment can affect the virulence of bacteria.

The above research was published in the journal Microbiome and scientists emphasized the need to protect the health and safety of astronauts.

In the past, scientists also discovered the existence of two types of bacteria on the ISS, in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

They also raise concerns about their spread to Earth. Fortunately, the advancement of science has proven that these species are harmless to humans.

They even possess interesting protective properties for plants - useful for growing crops in space.