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NASA NTRS · 20040173065

Changes in the immune system during and after spaceflight

Taylor, G. R.·Konstantinova, I.·Sonnenfeld, G.·Jennings, R.
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Abstract

The results of immunological analyses before, during and after spaceflight, have established the fact that spaceflight can result in a blunting of the immune mechanisms of human crew members and animal test species. There is some evidence that the immune function changes in short-term flights resemble those occurring after acute stress, while the changes during long-term flights resemble those caused by chronic stress. In addition, this blunting of the immune function occurs concomitant with a relative increase in potentially infectious microorganisms in the space cabin environment. This combination of events results in an increased probability of inflight infectious events. The realization of this probability has been shown to be partially negated by the judicious use of a preflight health stabilization program and other operational countermeasures. The continuation of these countermeasures, as well as microbial and immunological monitoring, are recommended for continued spaceflight safety.

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mannedSkylab ProjectNASA Center JSClong durationNASA Discipline Regulatory PhysiologySTS Shuttle ProjectFlight ExperimentNASA Program Flightshort durationApollo ProjectMir ProjectSalyut ProjectNASA Discipline Number 00-00Non-NASA CenterImmune Tolerance/immunologySpace FlightSpace Simulation/adverse effectsCommunicable Diseases/immunologyChronic DiseaseStress, Psychological/immunologyHumanTime FactorsAcute DiseaseAnimals

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Taylor, G. R., Konstantinova, I., Sonnenfeld, G., Jennings, R.. 1997-01-01. Changes in the immune system during and after spaceflight. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20040173065

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