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Normal Human Microbial Flora

The human body hosts a diverse community of microorganisms known as normal microbial flora, which can be classified into resident and transient flora. These microbes play essential roles in digestion, immune system development, and disease prevention, while also establishing symbiotic relationships with the host. Disruptions in this microbial balance can lead to opportunistic infections, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiota.

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Eucharistine Simbajon
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10 views5 pages

Normal Human Microbial Flora

The human body hosts a diverse community of microorganisms known as normal microbial flora, which can be classified into resident and transient flora. These microbes play essential roles in digestion, immune system development, and disease prevention, while also establishing symbiotic relationships with the host. Disruptions in this microbial balance can lead to opportunistic infections, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiota.

Uploaded by

Eucharistine Simbajon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Normal Human Microbial Flora: Symbiosis

Introduction
The human body is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, collectively
known as the normal microbial flora or microbiota. These microbes, which
include bacteria, fungi, and viruses, establish a dynamic relationship with the
host, ranging from beneficial to neutral and sometimes harmful interactions. This
relationship is an example of symbiosis, where different organisms live together
in close association.
Normal Flora
The normal flora refers to the population of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi
and few protists, which typically colonize at the specific anatomical sites of the
human body. The surface tissues (skin and mucus membrane) of the human
body are generally non-sterile.
Normal Human Microbial Flora
The normal flora of the human body refers to the microbial community that
colonizes on the skin and mucus membrane. Normal flora is sometimes
called indigenous microbiota, as they reside within or on the human’s skin
surface.

Types of Normal Flora


The human microbiota are primarily classified into two groups:
1. Resident Flora
 Microorganisms that permanently reside on the human body.
 They are fixed-type of microorganisms, which are generally non-
pathogenic.
 Resident microflora confines permanently to the skin’s deeper areas.
 They can reestablish themselves if disturbed.
 They can not be flushed off from the anatomical site.
 Resident flora is not associated with disease transmission.

2. Transient Flora
 Microorganisms that temporarily reside on the human body.
 They are indeterminate-type of microorganisms, which can be non-
pathogenic or potentially pathogenic.
 Transient microflora confines temporarily to the skin’s superficial layers for
hours, days or weeks.
 They can not reestablish themselves.
 They can be flushed off from the anatomical site.
 It is closely associated with disease transmission, as they serve as
opportunistic microorganisms derived from the environment
Characteristics of the Normal Flora
 Normal flora contains more than 200 bacterial species, among which
gram-positive bacteria predominate.
 The factors influencing the normal microflora include age, diet, nutrition,
sex, and immune conditions of a person.
 Microbial flora has Spatio-temporal complexity.
 Viruses and parasites do not constitute the normal microflora.
 Under normal conditions, microflora is harmless or even beneficial.
 Any disturbances in the normal flora may harm the host through the
consequence of opportunistic microorganisms that may eventually cause
disease or an infection.
 A human body is colonized with the normal flora once a neonate or
newborn body is passed through the mother’s vaginal tract or exposed to
the environment.
 A new born baby establishes the oral and nasopharyngeal flora within few
hours.
 After one day, resident flora establishes in the lower intestinal tract of the
neonate
Types of Symbiotic Relationships in Human Microbiota
1. Mutualism – Both the human host and microbes’ benefit.
- Example: Escherichia coli in the intestines synthesize vitamin K, which the
body needs for blood clotting, while they receive nutrients from the host.

2. Commensalism – Microbes benefit while the host is unaffected.

- Example: Staphylococcus epidermidis lives on the skin without causing harm.


3. Parasitism – Microbes benefit at the expense of the host, potentially causing
disease.
- Example: Mycobacterium tuberculosis can infect the lungs and cause
tuberculosis.
Common Sites of Human Microbiota
Skin– Hosts bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis that prevent pathogen
colonization.
Oral Cavity – Contains microbes like Streptococcus mutans, which can contribute
to dental plaque.
Gastrointestinal Tract – Houses trillions of bacteria, including Lactobacillus and
Bacteroides, essential for digestion and immunity.
Respiratory Tract – Normally contains non-harmful microbes unless the immune
system is compromised.
Urogenital Tract– Includes Lactobacillus species that help maintain an acidic
environment, preventing infections.
Factors Affecting Normal Flora
Antibiotic Use: Can disrupt microbial balance, leading to overgrowth of harmful
bacteria like Clostridium difficile.
Diet: Affects gut microbiota composition and diversity.
Hygiene Practices: Overuse of antibacterial products may reduce beneficial
microbes.
Age and Health Status: Newborns acquire microbiota at birth, and its composition
changes with age and health conditions.
Beneficial Effects
The normal flora is associated with the synthesis of vitamin-B complex
and vitamin-K.
The colonization of the normal flora on the skin prevents the proliferation of
pathogenic microbes, as they compete for the same nutrients.
They augment the defense mechanism of the human body or elevate the
immune system.
Microorganisms produce some antibiotic-like substances. For example, bacteria
produce bacteriocins.
Harmful Effects
The consequence of opportunistic pathogens causes disease in an immuno-
suppressed person.
Some microflorae are drug-resistant.
A few microflorae may cause confusion in a disease diagnosis.

Significance
The normal flora serves as antigens, which can significantly induce an antibody-
mediated immune response. Other bacteria compete with the normal flora of the
human body to invade the nutrients of the host.
Any disturbances in the normal flora population make the host cell susceptible to
pathogens. Therefore, the study of normal microflora gives us a better
understanding of the infections to the specific site.
The source of infection can also be determined. We can study the medically
important microorganisms excised from the infection site. In simple words, The
normal flora of the human body influence the host
cell susceptibility and morbidity.
Functions of Microbial Flora
1. Digestion and Absorption: Microorganisms help break down complex nutrients.
2. Immune System Development: Microorganisms stimulate the immune system.
3. Production of Vitamins: Microorganisms produce certain vitamins.
4. Prevention of Disease: Microorganisms compete with pathogens for space and
resources.
Conclusion
The normal human microbial flora plays a crucial role in maintaining health
through symbiotic relationships. While mutualistic and commensal microbes
benefit or do not harm the host, pathogenic microbes can cause diseases.
Understanding these relationships can help improve health practices, such as
balanced antibiotic use, proper hygiene, and a healthy diet to support beneficial
microbiota.

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