NORMAL MICROBIAL FLORA OF THE HUMAN BODY (Normal flora refers to the population of microorganisms that inhabit_skin. and mucous membranes of normal human — — * Thenormal microbial flora canbe divided into vO_groups, resident flora_and flor) Qesident Flora * It consists of organisms which are regularly present in a particular area and when disturbed it re-establishes itself. For example, Escherichia coli is anormal inhabitant of the intestine) Cfransient Flora consists of both non-pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria that inhabit, the body surface or mucous membrane for a limited period. * Pathogens suchas the pneumococcus and_the_meningococcus may be found in ngsopharynx of humans from time to tind : /A.NORMAL FLORA OF THE SKIN ~* Staph. epidermidis and diphtheroids are numerous and most constant in the skin. * Other microorganisms _include Peptococcus, Str: viridans, Enterococcus, Micrococcus, Esch. coli, Proteus, Candida albicans and Propionibacterium acne. enicillin resistant staphylococci are seen in individuals working in hospitals. a) UL. NORMAL FLORA OF THE CONJUNCTIVA *(he conjunctiva is relatively free from ia due to the flushing action of tears = due to the presence of lysozyme in vO * The __predominant__organisms— are Corynebacterium —_xerosis, Staph. egidermidis, Moraxella species and non- haemolytic streptococci: III, NORMAL FLORA OF THE NOSE AND NASOPHARYNX * The flora of nose harbour diphtheroids, staphylococci, streptococci. and Haemophilus species. * The nasopharynx is a natural habitat of the common pathogens which cause infections of the nose, throat, bronchi and lungs. IV. NORMAL FLORA OF THE MOUTH * Thé_mouth contains micrococci, Gram positive aerobic spore bearing bacilli, coliforms, Proteus and lactobacilli. * The gum pockets between thé teeth have a wide spectrum of anaerobic bacilli, anaerobic micrococci, anaerobic streptococci, fusiform bacilli, corynebacterium species, actinomyces and bacteroides.\ V. NORMAL FLORA OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT * Alpha haemolytic streptococci are present in the upper respiratory tract, * Inthe pharynx and trachea, florais similar tothat afte mouth, VI. NORMAL FLORA OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT * The bacterial count in adult duodenum is 10°-10° per gram, in the jejunum and proximal ileum 10-108 per gram and in the lower ileum and caecum 10°-10!° per gram of contents. * Lactobacilli and enterococci predominate in_the duodenum and upper ileum, but 295296 a Clinical Microbiology in the lower ileum and caecum the flora resemb!> the faecal flora. * Colon and rectum contains about 10!! bacteria per gram of contents, constituting 10-20 per cent of the faecal mass. «(The normal flora of adult colon contains Mostly (96-99 per cent) anaerobes and only 1-4 per cent aerobes) * Theanaerobic fioraincludes Bifidobacteria, anaerobic lactobacilli, Bacteroides speci anaerobic streptococci and clostridi + (Enterococci, coliforms and small number of Proteus, Pseudomonas, mycoplasma, lactobacilli and candida are predominant aerobes present in normal colo VIL. NO) OF THE GENITOURINARY TRACT * Mycobacterium smegmatis, a harmless comme nsal, is found in the secretions (smegma) of the genitalia of both males d females. P Gis s of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma ‘are frequently present as part of norma) flora of genitalia of both sexes. Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides ‘species and alpha haemolytic streptococe have been found in penile urethra. +(The female urethra is either sterile or “contains Staph. epidermidis. « At puberty, there is deposition of glycogen in vagina and the pH changes to acid due to the metabolic activity of Doderlien’s bacilli. The pubertal flora persists throughout the _feproductive period till menopause. *The normal vaginal flora includes clostridia, anaerobic _ streptococci, Bacteriodes species, Gardnerella vaginalis, diphtheroids, listeria and Candida albicans.)