Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus during space flight

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus was isolated over 2 years from Space Shuttle mission crewmembers to determine dissemination and retention of bacteria. Samples before and after each mission were from nasal, throat, urine, and feces and from air and surface sampling of the Space Shuttle. DNA fingerprinting of samples by digestion of DNA with SmaI restriction endonuclease followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed S. aureus from each crewmember had a unique fingerprint and usually only one strain was carried by an individual. There was only one instance of transfer between crewmembers. Strains from interior surfaces after flight matched those of crewmembers, suggesting microbial fingerprinting may have forensic application.

Microbial Monitoring of Crewed Habitats in Space—Current Status and Future Perspectives

“…In proof-of-concept studies of the gold nanoparticle approach, NASA researchers are developing a biodetection system to detect S. aureus , a common infectious agent that has been repeatedly isolated aboard the ISS (10, 40). Gold nanoparticles have been modified by the covalent attachment of an antibody that has a high binding affinity for a protein on the cell wall of S. aureus .…”

Effect of Solar Particle Event Radiation and Hindlimb Suspension on Gastrointestinal Tract Bacterial Translocation and Immune Activation

“…Multiple environmental factors have been identified that increase the risk of infection during these missions that include; stress [1], reduced weight bearing (reviewed in [2]), disturbance of circadian rhythms [3], and altered nutritional intake [4], in addition to solar and galactic radiation [5], [6]. These factors, either alone, independently additive, or through synergistic interactions, pose a threat for the development of pathogenic infection by exogenous or endogenous organisms [7], [8]. Exogenous organisms are present in other astronauts or the spacecraft and endogenous organisms, which are resident in the astronaut at the start of space flight, consist of latent viruses common in humans (e.g., Epstein-Barr, Herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, and others) or commensal and colonizing pathogenic organisms [5], [9], [10], [11].…”

Could spaceflight-associated immune system weakening preclude the expansion of human presence beyond Earth’s orbit?

“…Another risk may be the development of pathogens in a closed environment, where air, food, waste, and water are recycled. Confinement of the crew during flight can and has resulted in the transfer of microorganisms among crew members [4,5]. Finally, specific health risks might also be encountered on the lunar or martian surface, such as dust or chemicals that could irritate the respiratory tract, for example, or even new organisms.…”