Superbug in Space, Are Astronauts in Danger?

There seems to be a new problem arising for Sunita Williams, an Indian-American astronaut with NASA, and the other eight crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS), including those who are presently residing on the orbiting facility. A superbug has been identified in the International Space Station.

Researchers have discovered "Enterobacter bugandensis," a multi-drug resistant microbe that has grown stronger in the ISS's secluded environment. Many scientists refer to it as a "superbug" because of its resistance to multiple drugs. The bacteria can infect the respiratory system of the residents of the space stations, which can lead to bigger problems. 

What is this Superbug?

The spacebug found in the international space station is not an extra-terrestrial being. The scientists have named this bug "Enterobacter bugandensis”. Having survived the isolated condition of the space stations, the bug has generated immunity to many drugs, hence referred to as “superbug”. 

How Did It Reach There?

Scientists have found this drug to be a mutated version of a terrestrial bacteria. It is speculated that the bacteria must have travelled along with the astronauts to the space station. It then mutated there to reach this stage. This bacteria can cause respiratory infections amongst the astronauts of the space stations. 

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Why is this so concerning?

On June 6, 2024, Ms. Williams and her coworker Astronaut Barry Eugene "Butch" Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the newly developed Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They are expected to stay there for more than a week, after testing the new spacecraft that Ms. Williams assisted in designing, before making their way back to Earth.

The other seven crew members have spent more time living on the space station. Normally, flying space debris and micrometeorites are the main source of concern at the International Space Station (ISS); nevertheless, a major new concern is bugs that have been brought aboard as fellow travelers and have developed over the station's 24-year existence.

On space missions, extra precautions are taken for astronauts, since they have weakened immune systems and restricted access to conventional medical facilities. With the discovery of the superbug, the health of the space station astronauts is in jeopardy. 

What have Scientists Found So Far?

NASA stated in a recent article on the superbugs that they have examined strains of the bacterial species E. bugandensis that had been obtained from the International Space Station (ISS). A total of thirteen strains of the multidrug-resistant bacteria E. bugandensis were recovered from the International Space Station.

According to study results, the strains recovered from the International Space Station underwent genetic and functional changes under the unique conditions of the space station, which caused them to diverge from their Earthly counterparts.

The bacterial strains were able to sustain themselves and grow significantly over time along with other microbes at the International Space Station. There is also a possibility of E. bugandensis contributing to the survival of other microbes in certain situations. 

What is in the Future?

Finding a bug that can survive even the harsh conditions of space means one thing- there is so much left to be discovered. In  the words of Professor Karthik Raman, "Microbes continue to puzzle us by growing in the most challenging conditions."

The researchers at NASA have started their research to develop innovative countermeasure tactics to eradicate the possibility of any disease in the future. Scientists from different countries are also participating in the research. 

According to Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist at JPL, NASA and the lead scientist of the project, “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."

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