Long-Term Space Travel Poses Serious Risk To Astronauts Due To Virus Virulence

October 30, 2009 11:08 a.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - New research suggests that prolific virulence and growth of bacteria, combined with reduced production of antibodies may pose a serious problem to the space program and space travel. Researchers say human missions to Mars, as well as all other long-term space flights might be compromised by microbial hitchhikers, such as bacteria.

According to a report in The Journal of Leukocyte Biology, long-term space travel appears to weaken astronaut's immune systems; and it increases the virulence and growth of microbes. This combination of factors makes it vital for scientists to find tools that can help space travelers cope with these microscopic hitchhikers before they lead to disease, especially because astronauts won't have the ability to return home to a hospital.

Based on research from the study immune systems of both people and animals in space flight conditions are significantly weaker than their grounded counterparts. They also reviewed studies that examined the effects of space flight conditions and altered gravity on virulence and growth of common pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus. Studies on bacteria virulence and spaceflight show that common pathogens reproduce more rapidly.

When that happens, contamination is increased and serious infection risks are great for crew and colonization efforts. Human know how to reach great distances surpasses human know how to reach the destination disease free.