Cited by 188Spaceflight effects on biologyHerpesvirus Infections and TreatmentsCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 37 of the 37 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Latent virus reactivation in astronauts on the international space station

Open access

Abstract

Reactivation of latent herpes viruses was measured in 23 astronauts (18 male and 5 female) before, during, and after long-duration (up to 180 days) spaceflight onboard the international space station . Twenty age-matched and sex-matched healthy ground-based subjects were included as a control group. Blood, urine, and saliva samples were collected before, during, and after spaceflight. Saliva was analyzed for Epstein–Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1. Urine was analyzed for cytomegalovirus. One astronaut did not shed any targeted virus in samples collected during the three mission phases. Shedding of Epstein–Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus was detected in 8 of the 23 astronauts. These viruses reactivated independently of each other. Reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus increased in frequency, duration, and amplitude (viral copy numbers) when compared to short duration (10 to 16 days) space shuttle missions. No evidence of reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, or human herpes virus 6 was found. The mean diurnal trajectory of salivary cortisol changed significantly during flight as compared to before flight (P = 0.010). There was no statistically significant difference in levels of plasma cortisol or dehydoepiandosterone concentrations among time points before, during, and after flight for these international space station crew members, although observed cortisol levels were lower at the mid and late-flight time points. The data confirm that astronauts undertaking long-duration spaceflight experience both increased latent viral reactivation and changes in diurnal trajectory of salivary cortisol concentrations.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41526-017-0015-y

Cites

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Statistics

Figures

Fig. 1 Binomial 95% confidence intervals for percentage of crewmembers shedding virus, a: EBV, b: VZV, c: CMV
Fig. 1 Binomial 95% confidence intervals for percentage of crewmembers shedding virus, a: EBV, b: VZV, c: CMVCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Estimated median viral copies given that shedding has occurred, with 95% confidence intervals (mixed-model regression). a: EBV, b: VZV, c: CMV
Fig. 2 Estimated median viral copies given that shedding has occurred, with 95% confidence intervals (mixed-model regression). a: EBV, b: VZV, c: CMVCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 Median Levels of EBV DNA (with 95% confidence limits) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before, during, and after long-duration spaceflight
Fig. 3 Median Levels of EBV DNA (with 95% confidence limits) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before, during, and after long-duration spaceflightCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Estimated medians and 95% confidence limits for plasma cortisol
Fig. 4 Estimated medians and 95% confidence limits for plasma cortisolCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 Predicted mean log cortisol concentration trend and 95% confidence intervals for before-flight and during-flight phases in (a). b shows the difference between the two phases as well as the 95% confidence interval. It can be seen that the greatest difference occurs at about 10 h after waking based on these estimations
Fig. 5 Predicted mean log cortisol concentration trend and 95% confidence intervals for before-flight and during-flight phases in (a). b shows the difference between the two phases as well as the 95% confidence interval. It can be seen that the greatest difference occurs at about 10 h after waking based on these estimationsCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 6 Predicted mean log DHEA trend and 95% confidence intervals for before-flight and during-flight phases in (a). b shows the difference between the two phases as well as the 95% confidence interval
Fig. 6 Predicted mean log DHEA trend and 95% confidence intervals for before-flight and during-flight phases in (a). b shows the difference between the two phases as well as the 95% confidence intervalCC BY · PubMed Central

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Citations

Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Greene, W. H. et al. (eds) Econometric Analysis (Prentice Hall, 2000).

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Metadata

Authors
Mehta, S. K., Laudenslager, M. L., Stowe, R. P., Crucian, B. E., Feiveson, A. H., Sams, C. F., & Pierson, D. L.
Affiliations
  • Johnson Space Center (US)
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
  • Microgen (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Mehta, Satish K.
Venue
npj Microgravity
Published
2017-04-12
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
11-11
ISSN
2373-8065 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2605076090
Cited by
188
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 9
FWCI
10.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • npj Microgravity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (111-30-10-06, 111-30-10-03)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Spaceflight effects on biology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
Keywords
latent viral reactivation, astronauts, long-duration spaceflight, International Space Station, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, human herpesvirus 6, salivary cortisol, diurnal cortisol rhythm, dehydroepiandrosterone, spaceflight immunology

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