PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S) : James K. Ferguson, Gerald R. Taylor, and Bernard 



J. Mieszkuc 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Microbiological Investigations 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Apollo 



CLASSIFICATION : Human/Microorganism 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Environmental health 



OBJECTIVES : To detect potentially pathogenic microorganisms so that 

 associated medical problems could be identified early and preventive measures 

 established, to identify medically important microorganisms recovered from ill 

 crewmen to aid in diagnosis and treatment, to collect microbiological data 

 that would aid in elucidating the response of crew microbial autoflora to the 

 space flight environment, and to evaluate the resultant effect on the 

 crewmember . 



PROTOCOL : Back-up and flight crews were sampled on F-30, F-14, F-0, R+0 days. 

 Samples were taken from seven body surface sites, nose, throat and mouth, 

 urine and feces. They were maintained at 4 degrees C during transport. TSB 

 (Trypticase soy broth) was used for aerobic analysis and VIB (veal infusion 

 broth) for anerobic analysis. The spacecraft was also analyzed pre- and 

 postf light. Swab samples were taken from the mouthpiece of the drink gun, 

 pistol grips of the CMP maneuver controller, head struts, floor beneath the 

 foot of the center couch using Ca alginate swabs. The samples were vortexed 

 and serially diluted, plated, and incubated at 35 degrees C. 



EQUIPMENT : Culturing material, swabs. 



RESULTS : Approximately 4,000 microbial isolations were obtained, identified, 

 and characterized. Variation occurred in microbial response because of 

 ecological relationships (e.g., fungi controlling Candida albicans decreased 

 inflight), host susceptibility, and external environmental factors. Spread of 

 pathogens between crewmen was common. Pref light Command Module microorganisms 

 were replaced by crew microorganisms during flight. 



CONCLUSIONS : Spacecraft environment did not predispose crew to viral or 

 mycoplasma induced illness. 



PUBLICATIONS : 192, 502, 51b 



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