Preliminary Study on the Microbial Flora of Normal Human Subjects in a Restricted Environment

摘要

Microorganisms were recovered from selected skin and mucosal surfaces of men in groups of four living in a restricted environment. Of several sampling methods studied, the use of cotton swabs proved to be the technique most appropriate for the scope of this study. Differences between the microbial flora of the test subjects and major alterations in microbial populations were observed. These alterations could not be definitely attributed to the direct influence of the MA-10 full pressure suit. However, three of the pressure suited subjects exhibited foot lesions, initiated by a bacterium apparently indigenous to those individuals, during the period when the suits were worn. These data indicated that the carrier state may be of greater significance to the carrier than to other individuals in the restricted environment. Although transference of certain microbes was noted, the exchange of microorganisms generally considered to be pathogenic was not observed. (Author)