NORMAL FLORA OF THE HUMAN BODY

Question 1

• Microorganisms that makes up our indigenous microflora consists
• Reside on & within a person

Answer 1

Microdata

Question 2

• Group of microorganisms that inhabit the body of a normal healthy individual
• May be non-pathogenic or pathogenic & may at times behave as opportunistic pathogens
• They include bacteria & fungi

Answer 2

Normal Flora / , indigenous flora

Question 3

Types of Normal flora

Answer 3

• Resident Flora
• Transient Flora

Question 4

o Fixed types of microorganisms regularly found in a given area at a given age.
o If the host resistance mechanisms fail, resident flora can become pathogenic

Answer 4

• Resident Flora

Question 5

o Those that inhabit the skin and mucous membrane temporarily for hours, days, or weeks
o Derived from the environment
o If disturbed, may become pathogenic

Answer 5

• Transient Flora

Question 6

Importance of Normal Flora

• Inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms by priming the immune system of the new born
• Protects the body’s organs and systems that are in direct contact with the external environment; subject to the attack of invasive organisms
• Compete with the invasive microorgnisms for nutrients essential for their growth or by producing substances that can kill them
• Produce mucin that makes it difficult for pathogenic microorganism to attach the
  tissues
• Normal Flora in the intestines aid in the digestion of food by producing enzymes such as cellulase, galactosidase, and glucosidase
• Helps im the metabolism of the steroids
• The newborn’s normal flora is derived from the mother’s genital tract during delivery, from the skin & respiratory tract of individuals who handled the newborn and from the environment

Answer 6

Harmful Effects of Normal Flora

• They become opportunistic pathogens and cause the disease or if they change
  their usual anatomic location.
• Penicillinase - producing microorganisms ‐ antibiotic resistance (Drug
  resistance)

Question 7

• producing microorganisms ‐ antibiotic resistance (Drug resistance)

Answer 7

Penicillinase

Question 7

• Otherwise, inhospitable for m.o.
• Sweat and oil gland
• Consist of bacteria & fungi
• Staphylococcus epidermidis (stitch abscess)
• Propionibacterium Acnes or Propionibacterium parvum
• Moist folds of toes & fingers
• Moist, Warm conditions in hairy hair
• In surface of skin near opening
  o Diphtheroides
  o prosthetic devices such as prosthetic heart valves, shunts or catheters

Answer 7

Normal Flora of Skin

Question 8

• Mouth: Streptococcus viridans group: agent of dental carries (gingivitis), Streptococcus mutans: Dental plaque, Streptococcus group: Endocarditis
• Stomach > Small intetine
• Colon (anaerobes)
• Bacteriodes fragilis
• Escherichia coli, UTI & other Enterobaceriaceae
  o UTI
  o Some produces toxin - diarrhea
• Benefits colon: Vit K & Vit B complex synthesis

Answer 8

Normal Flora of the Digestive Tract

Question 9

• Synthesis of vitamin B Complex and Vitamin K
• Conversion of bile into bile acids
• Competition with transient flora for nutrients
• Prevents colonization of the intestines by transient flora
• Production of potentially pathogenic end products of metabolism which are toxic to transient flora

Answer 9

Intestinal flora Functions

Question 9

• NONE
• Breast fed: Bifidobacterium (Lactobacillus bifidus)
• Artificial fed: Lactobacillus acidophilus

Answer 9

Normal Flora (infant)

Question 10

• During childbearing age
  o Lactobacillus: for gonococcal infection
  o Yeast

Answer 10

Normal Flora Urinary Tract

Question 11

• Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae & Neisseria meningitidis

Answer 11

Normal Flora (Nasopharynx)