Has a drug-resistant disease been discovered on the International Space Station?

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Orbiting 254 miles above our heads for nearly 20 years, the International Space Station has become a beacon for companies that go beyond the safety of our world and a shining example of how the humanity can function as one. This icon seems to generate something else: drug – resistant diseases.

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The International Space Station has been an example of how diverse cultures can come together for a common purpose. Has it also become fertile ground for super diseases? Photo credit: NASA

Orbiting some 409 kilometers above our heads for nearly 20 years, the International Space Station has become a beacon for projects that go beyond the safety of our home world and a shining example of the way humanity can function as one. This icon seems to generate something else: drug – resistant diseases.

Although carrying out hundreds of experiments aboard the ISS is part of the daily work of astronaut and cosmonaut crews, it also seems that they could run an additional risk in this environment. A report published in 2014 by NASA indicated that the immune system was becoming "stunned and confused" in the era of astronauts in the microgravity of space. Impaired immune systems and very high-potency diseases do not mix well when you're traveling, a few months or even a year, from Earth.

Two of the most used areas of the resort, toilets and exercise areas, were identified as the main areas where the bacteria was most prevalent. Fortunately, the sprouts found are not pathogenic (they do not cause disease).

Enter Enterobacter

The bacterium discovered, Enterobacter, is present on Earth in soil, wastewater and in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. One of the most troubling aspects of this discovery is perhaps the fact that the diseases discovered on the ISS are similar to the drug-resistant strains found in hospitals at the back of the Earth.

In hospitals, Enterobacter can cause: infection in humans causing bacteremia, endocarditis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, skin and soft tissue infections, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections. (According to the BMC report).

The report does not clearly indicate that Enterobacter and his relatives would cause health problems in orbit. A report on Phys.Org used warnings such as "potential" "predicted" and noted the need for "further studies" to better understand the magnitude of problem drug resistance issues in future missions. .

It's the moment …

Thus, although the ISS may not have published the 21st century version of the Andromeda Strain strain, it has shed light on one of the many challenges faced by crews headed to distant worlds.

This is a big concern for NASA, as the agency has announced (long ago) that it will send astronauts back to the moon and Mars. At present, the agency has no way to send astronauts anywhere. It can reach the low Earth orbit only with the help of Mother Russia.

The first component of what would become the International Space Station, Russia Zarya This module was launched in November 1998. It was followed by NASA Unit module about two weeks later. The construction of the station lasted more than 12 years and some components are still waiting to be launched (Nauka, Uzlovoy, Science Power Modules modules and NanoRacks Airlock).

Tagged: Enterobacter ISS International Space Station ISS Lead Stories NASA

Jason Rhian

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills doing internships with NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content to sites such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.