Preflight and postflight microbiological results from 25 space shuttle crewsClinical-microbiological investigations are an important aspect of the crew health stabilization program. To ensure that space crews have neither active nor latent infections, clinical specimens, including throat and nasal swabs and urine samples, are collected at 10 days (L-10) and 2days (L-2) before launch, and immediately after landing (L+0). All samples are examined for the presence of bacteria and fungi. In addition, fecal samples are collected at L-10 and examined for bacteria, fungi and parasites. This paper describes clinical-microbiological findings from 144 astronauts participating in 25 Space Shuttle missions spanning Space Transportation System (STS)-26 to STS-50. The spectrum of microbiological findings from the specimens included 25 bacterial and 11 fungal species. Among the bacteria isolated most frequently were Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus agalactiae. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungal pathogen.
Document ID
19950058780
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pierson, Duane L. (NASA Johnson Space Flight Center United States)
Bassinger, Virginia J. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Molina, Thomas C. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Gunter, Emelie G. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Groves, Theron O. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Cioletti, Louis J. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Mishra, S. K. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
ISSN: 0148-7191
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
SAE PAPER 932139
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems