Microbiological problems of manned space flight.
The hazard of infectious disease in long-duration manned space flight is discussed in relation to the unique conditions of spacecraft environment. Confinement in a small, enclosed volume, special problems of waste disposal and personal hygiene, zero gravity, and high oxygen content present special features that favor transmission of micro-organisms. Alterations in microbial flora will occur and these will influence host defenses against disease. Genetic variants of micro-organisms could be induced by and selected under the unique conditions of space flight. A reduction in the variety of microbial flora could result in "microbial shock" on re-entry. The influence of environmental conditions of the spacecraft on host defenses against infection is unpredictable in the absence of investigative work. However, pre-flight assessment of immune status is recommended. A graduated pre-flight isolation period is highly recommended to permit exchange of flora, to protect astronauts from new agents, and to allow most infections to emerge.
Department of Microbiology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, Calif., USA.
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D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D020378:Confined Spaces; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D011790:Quarantine; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013026:Space Flight; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014893:Weightlessness