The human normal flora Flashcards
What are commensals
Microorganisms which reside consistently in particular site, without damage to the host-but may be beneficial
What are transients
Microorganisms which reside for a short time (eg 1 day, 1 week) in a particular site without damage to the host
What are opportunists
Incapable of invading or damaging normal host
Capable of invading or damaging when immunity compromised
What are pathogens
Capable of invading or damaging normal host by toxigenic action or invasion to cause disease
What is an important bug found on the skin
Staphylococci epidermidis (coagulase negative and part of normal flora)
What is the commonest contaminant of blood cultures
Staph epidermis (leads to false positives)
What is an important pathogen found in the nasopharynx
Strep. pneumoniae which is the commonest cause of comm acquired pneumonia and can also cause meningitis
How to know if someone has MRSA
Swab nose and look for staph.aureus
What is commonest cause of UTIs
E.Coli
What bug does the vagina contain that maintains pH
Lactobacilli (if if lowers in number then you can get bacterial vaginosis)
Where is E.coli found
Bowel
What are damaged skin more prone to
More pathogenic bugs which can bind to exposed tissue and colonise it and cause an infection
What does oral thrush indicate
Use of antibiotics
If no antibiotics were used, then you must think HIV
What does aspergillus fumigates cause
Invades lungs in leukaemia causing cavitation and pneumonitis
