Dysbiosis and Immune Dysregulation in Outer Space

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.

Keywords::

• immune dysregulation
• microbiome
• spaceflight

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to Kelly L. Hawley and Bennett Weinerman (UConn Health Center) for their help in editing the manuscript and critical suggestions.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.