“The strains were able to viably persist in the ISS over time with a significant abundance.”
Thirteen strains of Enterobacter bugandensis, a bacterium known for multi-drug resistance, were pulled from the space station. Under microgravity, radiation and high carbon dioxide they mutated into something genetically and functionally distinct from the Earth versions. They also helped other microbes survive. Astronauts share a sealed can with a drug-resistant germ that has settled in and is thriving.