On board the International Space Station (ISS)‚ scientists have discovered mutant bacteria that are not found on Earth. Extreme conditions on the orbital station forced these bacteria to mutate to survive‚ but now they may pose a threat to the health of astronauts‚ writes the Daily Mail. NASA scientists discovered that microorganisms were living among astronauts in 2019 during an extensive study of bacteria living on the ISS‚ but they have now identified the main bacterium as Enterobacter bugandensis. Scientists found 13 strains of bacteria in the air circulation system‚ simulator and bathroom of the ISS. The bacteria were carried into orbit with astronauts‚ and scientists believe their health is now at risk due to mutations in the microorganisms‚ causing them to become more resistant to antibiotics. A mutated form of the bacterium E. bugandensis (pictured) was discovered on the ISS that has developed resistance to drugs. Credit: Daily Mail These bacteria are associated with serious illnesses‚ such as a blood disease found in infants called neonatal sepsis. Enterobacter bugandensis can also lead to diseases of the urinary tract‚ skin and soft tissues‚ as well as endocarditis‚ an inflammation that occurs in the heart. According to scientists‚ extreme conditions on the ISS‚ such as higher levels of carbon dioxide‚ low gravity‚ and solar radiation‚ caused bacteria to mutate in order to survive. Scientists also believe that ventilation‚ humidity and air pressure could help mutant bacteria flourish. In order to identify the bacterial mutation‚ scientists conducted a more thorough study‚ and did not simply compare the known variant of the microorganism living on Earth with the variant found on the ISS. The researchers analyzed how bacterial genomes and functionality changed during adaptation to the extreme conditions of space‚ and then determined the population size of Enterobacter bugandensis on the ISS. They then studied the metabolic interactions of bacteria that benefit other microorganisms by helping them survive and grow. As the study showed‚ the conditions of space led to the fact that strains of bacteria mutated in such a way that they became genetically and functionally different from those that live on Earth. Scientists have found that mutant bacteria have completely different genes‚ which contributes to their resistance to different antibiotics. The post NASA discovered mutant bacteria on the ISS that are not found on Earth appeared first on Anomalien.com.