Prevalence of fungi during Skylab missions

Brockett, R. M.; Ferguson, J. K.; Henney, Mary R.

doi:10.1128/aem.36.2.243-246.1978

Cited by 26 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…These results suggest that the fungal biota of orbital samples would be similar to those of the door push plate on the ground. Cultures have indicated that the dominant fungal species belong to the genera Aspergillus , Penicillium , and Cladosporium on both space station Mir and Skylab (1, 2). The results of the present study indicate that, after Malassezia , Cladosporium was the next most dominant genus in orbit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…were detected (1). The dominant species of fungi detected on Mir and the USA space station Skylab belonged to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium (1,2). On the ground, there have been some reports of cases with symptoms similar to the allergic disease sick building syndrome, which occurs in people living in places with heavy Aspergillus and Penicillium infestation (3).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several species of fungi have been found aboard the Russian orbital station Mir, among which microorganisms capable of colonization of the unique anthropotechnological niche of the environment of manmade objects in space were detected (1). The dominant species of fungi detected on Mir and the USA space station Skylab belonged to the genera Aspergillus , Penicillium , and Cladosporium (1, 2). On the ground, there have been some reports of cases with symptoms similar to the allergic disease sick building syndrome, which occurs in people living in places with heavy Aspergillus and Penicillium infestation (3).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Satoh

Nishiyama

Yamazaki

et al. 2011

Microbiology and Immunology

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In addition to the crew, microbes also find their way aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Therefore, microbial monitoring is necessary for the health and safety of the crew and for general maintenance of the facilities of this station. Samples were collected from three sites in the Japanese experimental module KIBO on the ISS (air diffuser, handrail, and surfaces) for analysis of fungal biota approximately 1 year after this module had docked with the ISS. Samples taken from KIBO before launch and from our laboratory were used as controls. In the case of KIBO, both microbe detection sheet (MDS) and swab culture tests of orbital samples were negative. The MDS were also examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy; no microbial structures were detected. However, fungal DNAs were detected by real-time PCR and analyzed by the clone library method; Alternaria sp. and Malassezia spp. were the dominant species before launch and in space, respectively. The dominant species found in specimens from the air conditioner diffuser, lab bench, door push panel, and facility surfaces on our laboratory (ground controls) were Inonotus sp., Cladosporium sp., Malassezia spp., and Pezicula sp., respectively. The fungi in the KIBO were probably derived from contamination due to humans, while those in our laboratory came from the environment (e.g., the soil). In conclusion, the cleanliness in KIBO was equivalent to that in a clean room environment on the ground.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Microbe-I: fungal biota analyses of the Japanese experimental module KIBO of the International Space Station before launch and after being in orbit for about 460 days

Satoh

Nishiyama

Yamazaki

et al. 2011

Microbiology and Immunology

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“…Environmental monitoring data have shown that the wide variety of microorganisms isolated from spacecraft are largely of human origin (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Doctors and researchers are fully aware of the risk that fungal infection that could cause serious life-threatening disease in long-term space expeditions.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, a number of microorganisms progressively contaminate the living and working environments of spacecraft from the beginning of construction (1). Researchers have found large numbers of microorganisms in the cabins of space stations, such as the Russian Mir Space Station and the ISS, some of which are pathogenic microorganisms, including opportunistic fungi (1–5). Because they are in a limited and confined space, astronauts and on board equipment would be continuously exposed to high concentrations of fungal spores.…”

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confidence: 99%

Phenotypic characterization of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans grown under simulated microgravity using a three‐dimensional clinostat

Yamazaki

Yoshimoto

Nishiyama

et al. 2012

Microbiology and Immunology

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The living and working environments of spacecraft become progressively contaminated by a number of microorganisms. A large number of microorganisms, including pathogenic microorganisms, some of which are fungi, have been found in the cabins of space stations. However, it is not known how the characteristics of microorganisms change in the space environment. To predict how a microgravity environment might affect fungi, and thus how their characteristics could change on board spacecraft, strains of the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were subjected to on-ground tests in a simulated microgravity environment produced by a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat. These fungi were incubated and cultured in a 3D clinostat in a simulated microgravity environment. No positive or negative differences in morphology, asexual reproductive capability, or susceptibility to antifungal agents were observed in cultures grown under simulated microgravity compared to those grown in normal earth gravity (1G). These results strongly suggest that a microgravity environment, such as that on board spacecraft, allows growth of potentially pathogenic fungi that can contaminate the living environment for astronauts in spacecraft in the same way as they contaminate residential areas on earth. They also suggest that these organisms pose a similar risk of opportunistic infections or allergies in astronauts as they do in people with compromised immunity on the ground and that treatment of fungal infections in space could be the same as on earth.

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