This is the first study of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in astronauts associated with the spaceflight.. The 55 CMV seropositive astronauts were divided into two groups: 15 (27%) shed CMV in urine (shedders) and 40 did not shed (nonshedders). A significant increase (P < .0001) in shedding frequency was found in astronauts before flight (10.6% ), compared to a healthy control group (1.2%). Two of 4 astronauts studied during spaceflight shed CMV in urine. CMV antibody titers of CMV-shedding subjects had increased significantly (P < .0001) 10 days before spaceflight compared to baseline values. CMV antibody titers were further increased (P < 0.001) 3 days after landing compared to titers 10 days before the mission. Significant increases in stress hormones were also found after landing. In the case of nonshedders, CMV antibody titers did not change significantly across the different collection time points compared to baseline values. Significant increases in urinary stress hormones (cortisol, catecholamines) were also found after landing supporting a role of stress in astronauts. These results demonstrate unequivocally that CMV reactivation occurred in astronauts prior to flight and indicate that CMV may further reactivate during spaceflight.
Reactivation and Shedding of Cytomegalovirus in Astronauts During Space flight
2000
13 pages
Report
No indication
English