Development of resistance to chemical disinfection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa during long-term space flight

Two long-term experiments have been conducted aboard the Mir Space Station to evaluate the development of resistance by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to chemical disinfection by polyiodide quaternary ammonium strong base resin disinfectants. The first preliminary experiment was launched aboard STS 79 and a second more extensive experiment aboard STS 86. During both experiments, after two months in a microgravity environment, aqueous suspensions of P. aeruginosa contained viable bacteria after having the iodinated resin added to them. In the second experiment identical ground based controls did not exhibit a similar phenomenon. Also in the second experiment, individual colonies from the surviving bacteria were evaluated for resistance to aqueous iodine disinfection. Compared to individual colonies from the original inoculum no resistance was observed. The data are consistent with slow development of a resistant biofilm in the bacterial suspensions flown aboard the Mir Space Station.