Figure 1.
Factors that could enhance the risk of infections and their transmission in the spaceflight environment. Alterations in astronauts’ microbial flora and bacterial physiology could lead to increased microbial contamination onboard. Changes in astronauts’ physiology as well as in physico-chemical properties of pharmaceuticals could influence pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics. Increased microbial virulence and decreased drug susceptibility could enhance antimicrobial resistance. Notations: increase; decrease.