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Immune responsiveness and risk of illness in U.S. Air Force Academy cadets during basic cadet trainingIt has been proposed, but not confirmed, that environmental stressors alter immune function and increase the risk of viral infection among healthy individuals. This hypothesis was evaluated by examining the relationship among stress, immune function, and illness in 96 first-year U.S. Air Force Academy cadets during orientation and four weeks later during the stressful environment of basic cadet training (BCT). Perceived stress and well-being levels of cadets were assessed via questionnaire. Immune responsiveness was analyzed by PHA-stimulated thymidine uptake in mononuclear leucocytes and by serologic evidence of reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Results showed significant declines in in vitro PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation (-35 percent)and subjective well-being (-19 percent) from orientation to BCT with corresponding, significant increases in perceived stress (+32 percent). Despite significantly altered in vitro immune responsiveness, there was no serologic evidence of EBV reactivation nor was there an association between these measures and risk of illness as determined by medical chart review and self-reported symptoms.
Document ID
19920073845
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lee, David J.
(Miami, University FL, United States)
Meehan, Richard T.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Robinson, Christine
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Mabry, Thomas R.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Smith, Morey L.
(Colorado, University Denver; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
Volume: 63
Issue: 6 Ju
ISSN: 0095-6562
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Accession Number
92A56469
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-170
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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