While hazard control systems and processes prevent the presence of many medically significant microorganisms during spaceflight missions, potentially pathogenic organisms could be carried by crewmembers, the spacecraft, and its cargo; thus, microbial infection of crewmembers cannot be completely prevented. Recent evidence from spaceflight experiments also suggests alterations in microbial characteristics, including virulence (disease causing potential), in organisms grown during flight. In combination with potential host susceptibility due to dysfunction in the immune system, infectious disease risk may be greater than in the spaceflight environment than in normal workplace settings.
Risk of Adverse Health Effects Due to Alterations in Host Microorganism Interaction: Record 36 (Microhost, MRL No. 107)-BASELINE
2011
11 pages
Report
No indication
English