Learning Objectives:
1. Define “normal flora”
2. Differentiate between resident flora and transient flora
3. Explain the role of normal flora in the human body
4. Give examples of organisms that normally inhibit different sites in the body
Learning Objectives:
1. Define “normal flora”
2. Differentiate between resident flora and transient flora
3. Explain the role of normal flora in the human body
4. Give examples of organisms that normally inhibit different sites in the body
Microbial Ecology
Study of the relationship between microorganism and their
environment
Normal fauna consists of the group of organisms that
inhabit a healthy body.
Pathogenic, Non-pathogenic, Opportunistic
May inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms
May synthesize important vitamins essential to humans
Types:
1. Resident fauna
2. Transient fauna
Beneficial effects of normal fauna
1. Can prevent pathogens from attaching to
and penetrating the skin and other tissues
2. In the intestine, they aid in the digestion
of food
3. In the intestine, they help in the
metabolism of steroids
Learning Objectives:
1. Define “normal flora”
2. Differentiate between resident flora and transient flora
3. Explain the role of normal flora in the human body
4. Give examples of organisms that normally inhibit different sites in the body
Entrance of normal fauna to the body
Healthy fetus is normally sterile, following the rupture of a
bag of water
Once born, normal flora is derived from the mother’s genital
tract during delivery, from the skin and respiratory tract of
those who handled the newborn, and from the environment.
Body fluids and tissues that are normally sterile:
1. CSF
2. Synovial fluid
3. Blood
4. Urinary bladder
5. Uterus
6. Fallopian tube
7. Middle ear
8. Paranasal sinuses
Normal Flora on Different Sites of the
Body: Skin
Skin is always in contact to the environment
Skin can eliminate non-resident flora from the skin
Normal fauna of the skin consists of bacteria and
fungi
According to different regions of the skin:
1. Axilla, perineum, and toe webs – more
microorganisms, primarily gram-negative bacteria
2. Hand, face, and trunk - diverse flora
3. Upper arms and legs -
Most microorganisms are found in the superficial
layers and hair follicles
Normal Flora on Different Sites of the Body:
Mouth and Respiratory Tract
Tongue and buccal mucosa are inhabited by the
Streptococcus viridans group
Viridans streptococci have been implicated in the
pathogenesis of dental carries
Gingival crevices and the tonsillar crypts are inhabited
primarily by anaerobic fauna
Pharynx and trachea have the same normal fauna
There can be transient pathogenic organisms
Upper respiratory tract may have colonization of
pathogenic organisms
Lower respiratory tract is typically sterile
Normal Flora on Different Sites of the Body:
Conjunctiva
Very scanty in the conjunctiva
Held in check by tears that contain
lysozyme
Some bacteria may be transient
Staphylococci and streptococci may be
present
Normal Flora on Different Sites of the Body:
Digestive Tract
Esophagus has transient mouth flora
Minimal bacteria in the stomach because of the
harsh conditions
A bacteria that survives there is Helicobacter pylori
Transient bacteria found in the small intestine:
streptococci, lactobacilli, and Bacteroides
More bacteria in the large intestine.
Colon inhabited by anaerobes, with some
facultative anaerobes
Difference in microbes between breast-fed and
bottle-fed infants
Important role of the intestinal flora
Normal Flora on Different Sites of the Body:
Genitourinary Tract
Urinary tract is sterile above the distal 1 cm
of the urethra
In the anterior urethra are S. epidermis,
enterococci, and diphtheroids.
Male and female similarities and differences
Vaginal flora variation with age, hormonal
level, and vaginal pH
Female infants
Onset of puberty
Adult
After menopause
