Enterobacter bugandensis

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Overview:

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have carried out a collaborative study of the behaviour of multi-drug resistant pathogens aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

About Enterobacter Bugandensis:

  • Enterobacter bugandensis is a relatively new species within the Enterobacter genus.
  • It was first described in 2013, after being isolated from cases of bloodstream infections in Uganda.

Key Characteristics:

  • Morphology: It is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium.
  • Habitat: Like other Enterobacter species, E. bugandensis is typically found in various environments, including soil, water, and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans.
  • Pathogenicity: It can cause various infections, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. These include bloodstream infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections.
  • Resistance: E. bugandensis has shown resistance to multiple antibiotics, which makes treatment challenging.
    • The resistance mechanisms can include beta-lactamase production, efflux pumps, and mutations that reduce drug uptake.

What is the multi-drug-resistant pathogen?

  • The multi-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogen refers to a microorganism that has developed resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, typically three or more antimicrobial categories.
  • This resistance can be seen in various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

The most threatening forms of MDR to public health are MDR bacteria that resist multiple antibiotics.


Q1: What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or stop their growth. This is a significant global health concern.

Source: What is the multi-drug-resistant pathogen found in the International Space Station?