![]() ![]() Thereafter, we extracted the DNA from all microbial samples and sequenced the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to assess their microbial composition. In addition, the crew collected in-flight microbial environmental samples from six different surfaces and one sample from the water reservoir in the ISS to study the interplay between the ISS microbial communities and the crew’s microbiome. During the study, astronauts collected microbiome samples from their forehead and forearm skin, their two nostrils, tongue and stool, as a proxy of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) microbiota, at ten different time points before, during and after the mission (see Fig. To determine the effects of spaceflight on the human microbiome, we performed a longitudinal study on nine astronauts spending from six to twelve months at the ISS. The evidence presented herein shows that space travel can have both transient and longer lasting impacts on the microbiome of astronauts, and that these changes are associated with alteration of immune function. This study documented the diversity of microbes associated with astronauts before, during and after long duration space missions at the ISS using culture independent 16S rRNA gene analysis. While these early studies collected a wide range of samples, they were limited to investigating the small fraction of organisms that could be grown in pure culture. Early astronaut microbiome studies documented the diversity of microbes associated with astronauts and the transfer of the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus from one astronaut to another 22, 23. ![]() Terrestrial studies of the human microbiome suggest that many of the maladies experienced by astronauts can be caused or exacerbated by microbiome dysfunction. In addition to physiological changes and reductions in immune response experienced by astronauts, microgravity can also cause changes in homeostasis and microbial biochemistry 19, 20, 21. A recent study documented a persistent skin rash in an astronaut at ISS that also correlated with immune dysregulation 18. Further studies have shown astronauts experience immune dysregulation, changes in neutrophil functions, and neuroimmune response during space flight 15, 16, 17. Altered production of cytokines including increases in white blood cell counts have been measured during space flight and associated with altered adaptive immunity 14. Many of these symptoms have been associated with a weakening of the immune function as shown by reactivation of Epstein Bar Virus (EBV), and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) during space flight 12, 13. Previous inflight studies have shown that astronauts have reported a range of health issues ranging from GI distress, respiratory illness and skin irritation and infections 10, 11. As the duration of space missions increases, it becomes more and more important to maintain long term health in space to keep astronauts functioning at a high level 3, 8, 9. For decades NASA has studied the effects of space travel on humans and has sought to identify factors that can be regulated to improve the chances of astronauts returning to Earth healthy 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Space flight presents the further danger of isolation from medical experts, making preventative measures to ensure astronaut health paramount. ![]() isolation, anxiety and sleep deprivation) 1, 2, 3, 4. microgravity and increased radiation) to social stresses (e.g. These stresses range from environmental factors (e.g. The impact of those changes on crew health warrants further investigation before humans embark on long-duration voyages into outer space.Īstronauts spending six months to a year at the International Space Station (ISS) undergo a wide variety of stresses that can impact crew health and productivity. The results from this study demonstrate that the composition of the astronauts’ microbiome is altered during space travel. Alterations in the skin microbiome that might contribute to the high frequency of skin rashes/hypersensitivity episodes experienced by astronauts in space were also observed. The composition of the intestinal microbiota became more similar across astronauts in space, mostly due to a drop in the abundance of a few bacterial taxa, some of which were also correlated with changes in the cytokine profile of crewmembers. We present evidence showing that the microbial communities of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, nose and tongue change during the space mission. Here we investigated the impact of long-term space exploration on the microbiome of nine astronauts that spent six to twelve months in the ISS. Over the course of a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) crew members are exposed to a number of stressors that can potentially alter the composition of their microbiomes and may have a negative impact on astronauts’ health. ![]()
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