Genomic and Functional Characterization of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> Isolates Recovered From the International Space Station and Their Potential for Pathogenicity.

ABSTRACT: Enterococcus faecalis is a multidrug resistant, opportunistic human pathogen and a leading cause of hospital acquired infections. Recently, isolates have been recovered from the air and surfaces onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Pangenomic and functional analyses were carried out to assess their potential impact on astronaut health. Genomes of each ISS isolate, and both clinical and commensal reference strains, were evaluated for their core and unique gene content, acquired antibiotic resistance genes, phage, plasmid content, and virulence traits. In order to determine their potential survival when outside of the human host, isolates were also challenged with three weeks of desiccation at 30% relative humidity. Finally, pathogenicity of the ISS strains was evaluated in

SUBMITTER: Bryan NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7829349 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature