The Evaluation of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aboard the International Space StationThe International Space Station (ISS) represents a semi-closed environment with a high level of crewmember interaction. As community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a health concern in environments with susceptible hosts in close proximity, an evaluation of isolates of clinical and environmental Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus was performed to determine if this trend was also present in astronauts aboard ISS or the space station itself. Rep-PCR fingerprinting analysis of archived ISS isolates confirmed our earlier studies indicating a transfer of S. aureus between crewmembers. In addition, this fingerprinting also indicated a transfer between crewmembers and their environment. While a variety of S. aureus were identified from both the crewmembers and the environment, phenotypic evaluations indicated minimal methicillin resistance. However, positive results for the Penicillin Binding Protein, indicative of the presence of the mecA gene, were detected in multiple isolates of archived Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Phenotypic analysis of these isolates confirmed their resistance to methicillin. While MRSA has not been isolated aboard ISS, the potential exists for the transfer of the gene, mecA, from coagulase negative environmental Staphylococcus to S. aureus creating MRSA strains. This study suggests the need to expand environmental monitoring aboard long duration exploration spacecraft to include antibiotic resistance profiling.
Document ID
20080026091
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ott, C. M. (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Bassinger, V. J. (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Fontenot, S. L. (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Castro, V. A. (Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Pierson, D. L. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
May 22, 2005
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 3rd International Workshop on Space Microbiology