Impact of Microgravity on Virulence, Antibiotic Resistance and Gene Expression in Beneficial and Pathogenic Microorganisms

During space missions, the impact of the space conditions (both microgravity and radiation) on physiologic and metabolic aspects of the microbiota of astronauts' bodies should be considered. Changes depend on the mission's duration, types of organisms, and ecology. Reported alterations are related to changes in morphology, growth, gene expression, and physiology of cells, resulting in increased virulence, acid, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, secondary metabolism, and microbial mutations. Accordingly, recent research indicates the impacts of simulated microgravity on human physiology and bacterial characteristics. This paper has reviewed the aspects of microgravity on changes in microbiota, including virulence, antibiotic resistance, and gene expression. Microgravity can undermine humans and makes influence bacterial pathogenicity. The review of papers shows that some microorganisms showed higher pathogenicity under microgravity conditions. Moreover, sulfamethoxazole had the highest resistance among Gram-positive microorganisms, and gentamicin had the highest resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. All antibiotics reviewed under microgravity conditions were robust in both groups of microorganisms compared to the gravity condition. Furthermore, some gene expression was altered in bacteria under microgravity conditions compared to Earth conditions (standard bacterial growth conditions). Changes in microbial behavior under microgravity directly influence astronauts' health conditions, and a detailed analysis of known facts can provide essential information for the selection of appropriate probiotics for these specific cases during the missions and after the recovery processes. Moreover, the study of microorganisms changes in the absence of gravity will help to understand the mechanisms of causing diseases on Earth and may be applied in clinical practice.