The human body abounds with a variety of bacteria — they cannot be completely rid of, even using the most powerful methods of sterilization. Consequently, bacteria will to live even in the most clean and actively protected areas like aboard the International space station. During a regular inspection of the ISS researchers found that on-Board living rod-shaped bacteria Enterobacter, which besides that are dangerous to humans and resistant to antibiotics.
Microbiologists from the jet propulsion laboratory, NASA regularly take samples of the microbes aboard the station. Their goal is to see how cosmic radiation, the increased concentration of carbon dioxide and microgravity affect the life and the spread of germs.
During one of the checks of the toilet and the training hall they found several strains of bacteria Enterobacter bugandensis. They are most similar to a group of microbes recently discovered on Earth. They were the cause of diseases in newborn children and people with low immune system — the victims were hospitalized in East Africa, Washington and Colorado.
Samples in which was detected the bacteria were collected in 2015. Since then three years have passed, and during that time the astronauts painful symptoms were found. At the moment, their health is not threatened, but a small risk still exists. Microbiologists have found that bacteria resistant to antibiotics, among which are the penicillin, and oxacillin cefoxitin.
Computer simulations showed that the risk of their transformation into a pathogen to cause disease in astronauts is 79%. The researchers intend to do more research and to develop preventive methods against possible diseases.
Fortunately, in September 2018, researchers from Genentech have already started the development of antibiotics capable of dealing with even the most resistant viruses. However, it should be borne in mind that to create a full of the drug will require much more time.
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