Abstract

Spaceflights results in the reduction of immune status of human beings and increase in the virulence of microorganisms, especially gram negative bacteria. The growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae is enhanced by catecholamines and during spaceflight, elevation in the levels of cortisols occurs. So it is necessary to know the changes in physiology, virulence, antibiotic resistance and gene expression of K. pneumoniae under microgravity conditions. The present study was undertaken to study effect of simulated microgravity on growth, morphology, antibiotic resistance and cross stress resistance of K. pneumoniae to various stresses. The susceptibility of simulated microgravity grown K. pneumoniae to ampicillin, penicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, hygromycin and rifampicin were evaluated. The growth of bacteria was found to be fast compared with normal gravity grown bacteria and no significant changes in the antibiotic resistance were found. The bacteria cultured under microgravity conferred cross stress resistance to acid, temperature and osmotic stress higher than the normal gravity cultured bacteria but the vice versa was found in case of oxidative stress.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.