Microorganisms in the GI Tract in Health and Disease Flashcards
what type of bacteria is ‘good’ bacteria
commensal
how does a baby receive microbiota from its mother
through breastfeeding
contact with skin
from vagina through passage through the birth canal
what can inhibit microbiota passage between a baby and a mother
bottle feeding
casaerian section
early/extensive bathing
early life antibiotics
what does our microbiota do for us
nutrient extraction from food
terminal postnatal differentiation of mucosal structures
physical barrier function
immune system development
regulation of metabolism
colonisation resistance against pathogens
what do human do for the microbiota
supply nutrients and growth
provide protected habitat
provide means for dispersal
what are the two main forms of microbe found in the colon
firmicutes - ~55%
bacteroidetes - ~33%
name 4 commensal microbes which are found in the colon that can becomes opportunistic pathogens
chlostidium spp.
enteroccocus faecium
bacteroides fragilis
e. coli
def. of pathogen
need to cause disease to transmit between hosts (and survive evolutionarily)
do pathogens need to cause symptoms
no
can be asymptomatic or mild disease
examples of gut pathogens
e. coli
shigella dysenteriae
salmonella typhi
campylobacter jejuni/coli
if zoonotic or environmental pathogens/commensals cause disease is this accidental or necessary for evolutionary survival
accidental
what protective factors does the gut have against microbes
low pH
low oxygen
flow rate caused by peristalsis
bile salts and digestive enzymes
mucus from goblet cells
intestinal microbiota
tight junctions between epithelial cells
adaptive immune cells
what conditions and drugs can damage the protective factors of out gut against pathogens
anatacid drugs - raise pH
appendicitis - stops peristalsis
antibiotics - kills commensal bacteria which makes space for pathogen colonisation
sepsis - causes leakage in epithelium
immunosuppression - suppressive immune response
what is required for an opportunistic pathway to cause infection
damage to GI protective mechanisms due to illness or drugs
the pathogen can’t cause damage itself
what mechanisms do obligate pathogens have to overcome the host defences
adherence mechanisms
motility
resistance to bile salts and digestive enzymes
toxin production to break through barrier
invasion
avoidance of immune system surveillance (e.g. capsule)
definition of diarhhoea
> 3x a day
more than 80% water
300g per 24 hours
what types of diarrhoea are possible as a result of infection
secretory
inflammatory
what types of stimulus can cause vomiting
neuronal or hormonal
