Dysbiosis and Immune Dysregulation in Outer Space.

a Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center , Farmington , CT , USA . b Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences , University of Connecticut Health Center , Farmington , CT , USA.

International reviews of immunology. 2016;(1):67-82
Full text from:

Other resources

Abstract

In space, the lifestyle, relative sterility of spaceship and extreme environmental stresses, such as microgravity and cosmic radiation, can compromise the balance between human body and human microbiome. An astronaut's body during spaceflight encounters increased risk for microbial infections and conditions because of immune dysregulation and altered microbiome, i.e. dysbiosis. This risk is further heightened by increase in virulence of pathogens in microgravity. Health status of astronauts might potentially benefit from maintaining a healthy microbiome by specifically managing their diet on space in addition to probiotic therapies. This review focuses on the current knowledge/understanding of how spaceflight affects human immunity and microbiome.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Review

Metadata

MeSH terms : Dysbiosis ; Immunity ; Weightlessness