Understanding Normal Human Microbiota and Its Role in Health
Normal Human Microbiota, consisting of microbes on the skin and mucous membranes, play a crucial role in human health by providing defense against pathogens, aiding in digestion, and contributing to immune system maturation. The microbiota can be resident or transient, with colonization starting at birth and varying based on age, sex, diet, and environment. They help maintain health by synthesizing nutrients, preventing pathogen colonization, and exhibiting colonization resistance through mechanisms like bacterial interference.
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Normal Human Microbiota Dr. Ali Abdulwahid
overview The term normal microbial flora or normal microbiota refers to : the population of microorganisms that inhabit the skin and mucous membranes of healthy normal persons. These microorganisms are estimated to outnumber human somatic and germ cells by a factor of 10 (the adult human contains 1013cells , whereas the number of microbes in the human microbiome is approximately 1014) they are beneficial to human body as they : Provide a first line of defense against microbial pathogens assist in digestion play a role in toxin degradation contribute to maturation of the immune system.
Groups of Human microbiota Human microbiota can be arranged into two groups: 1. The resident microbiota: consists of relatively fixed types of microorganisms regularly found in a given area at a given age; if disturbed, it promptly re-establishes itself 2. The transient microbiota: consists of nonpathogenic or potentially pathogenic microorganisms that inhabit the skin or mucous membranes for hours, days, or weeks. It derived from the environment, and does not establish itself permanently on the surface.
Their colonization of human body starts at birth. Their composition vary depending on age, sex, diet, anatomic site and environment. Their flourishing in a given area depends on: 1. 2. Physiologic factors include temperature and moisture. The presence of certain nutrients and inhibitory substances. Body fluids and internal tissues and organs are sterile Such as : blood , brain , kidney, CSF, liver and muscles.
The role of normal flora in human health Their presence is not essential to life But plays a definite role in maintaining health and normal function, such as Members of the resident microbiota in the intestinal tract synthesize vitamin K and aid in the absorption of nutrients. On mucous membranes and skin, the resident microbiota may prevent colonization by pathogens (colonization resistance) and possible disease through bacterial interference.
The mechanism of bacterial interference may involve competition for receptors or binding sites on host cells competition for nutrients mutual inhibition by metabolic or toxic products. mutual inhibition by antimicrobial materials or bacteriocins Example of colonization resistance: Within the colon, members of the intestinal flora prevent the overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, the cause of pseudomembranous colitis. When antibiotics kill members of the colonic flora, colonization resistance is lost, C. difficile overgrows, and colitis results
Negative role of microbiota Members of the normal microbiota may themselves produce disease under certain circumstances (opportunistic pathogens) include : In immunocompromised people If forcefully removed from the restrictions of that environment and introduced into the bloodstream or tissues For example: streptococci of the viridans group are the most common resident organisms of the upper respiratory tract. If large numbers of them are introduced into the bloodstream (eg, after tooth extraction or oral surgery), they may settle on deformed or prosthetic heart valves and produce infective endocarditis.
The normal microbiota of different sites of human body
I. Normal microbiota of the skin The skin is the largest organ in human body It is colonized by a diverse array of microorganisms, most of which are harmless or even beneficial to the host. It is always colonized by transient microorganisms due to its constant exposure to and contact with the environment. There is also a constant and well-defined resident flora, modified in different anatomic areas by secretions, habitual wearing of clothing, or proximity to mucous membranes (mouth and nose)
I. Normal microbiota of the skin The predominant resident microorganisms of the skin are: 1. aerobic and anaerobic diphtheroid bacilli (eg, Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium); 2. nonhemolytic aerobic and anaerobic staphylococci (Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococci, occasionally Staphylococcus aureus, and Peptostreptococcus species); 3. Gram positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacilli that are ubiquitous in air, water, and soil 4. -hemolytic streptococci (viridans streptococci) and enterococci (Enterococcus species) 5. gram-negative coliform bacilli and Acinetobacter. 6. acid-fast, nonpathogenic mycobacteria occur in areas rich in sebaceous secretions (genitalia, external ear).
Factors affecting the resident and transient flora Factors that important in eliminating nonresident microorganisms from the skin are the low pH The fatty acids in sebaceous secretions The presence of lysozyme. The number of resident microorganisms may be diminished by vigorous daily scrubbing with soap containing disinfectants but the flora is rapidly replenished from sebaceous and sweat glands even when contact with other skin areas or with the environment is completely excluded.
Infection caused by skin normal flora Anaerobes and aerobic bacteria often join to form synergistic infections of skin and soft tissues include : Gangrene necrotizing fasciitis cellulitis. The bacteria are frequently part of the normal microbial flora. It is usually difficult to pinpoint one specific organism as being responsible for the progressive lesion because mixtures of organisms are usually involved.
Normal microbiota of the mouth and upper respiratory tract Within 4 12 hours after birth Viridans streptococci become established as the most prominent members of the resident flora Early in life : other groups are added include : aerobic and anaerobic staphylococci, G-ve diplococci (neisseriae, Moraxella catarrhalis), Diphtheroids, and occasional lactobacilli. When teeth begin to erupt, other species established include the anaerobic spirochetes, Prevotella species Fusobacterium species, and Rothia species, some anaerobic vibrios and lactobacilli. Actinomyces species are normally present in tonsillar tissue and on the gingivae in adults Yeasts (Candida species) occur in the mouth.
The flora of the nose consists of prominent: corynebacteria, staphylococci (S epidermidis, S aureus) streptococci. In the pharynx and trachea, a similar flora establishes itself, but few bacteria are found in normal bronchi. Small bronchi and alveoli are normally sterile.
Infections caused by mouth and respiratory tract normal flora Infections of the mouth and respiratory tract are usually caused by mixed oronasal flora, including anaerobes. The infection involves Periodontal infections Perioral abscesses, Sinusitis, The bacteria may predominantly involved in infection : Prevotella Fusobacteria Peptostreptococci Aspiration of saliva (containing up to 102of these organisms and aerobes) may result in: necrotizing pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema.
III. Normal Microbiota of the Intestinal Tract The Diet and the environment is a major factor in determining the early microbial profile. At birth, the intestine is sterile, but organisms are soon introduced with food. The intestinal microbiota of breastfed children is dominated by Bifidobacteria. In bottle-fed children, a more mixed flora exists in the bowel, and lactobacilli are less prominent. Bowels of newborns in intensive care nurseries tend to be colonized by Enterobacteriaceae, such as Klebsiella, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter
In normal adults, the esophagus contains microorganisms arriving with saliva and food. The stomach s acidity keeps the number of microorganisms at a minimum (102 103/mL of contents) The normal acid pH of the stomach markedly protects against infection with some enteric pathogens (eg, Vibrio cholerae). As the pH of intestinal contents becomes alkaline, the resident flora gradually increases. In the upper intestine, the bacterial population associated with the mucosa include the phylum Bacteroidetes and members of the Clostridiales, the lumen can include members of the Enterobacteriales
In the sigmoid colon and rectum, the bacteria constitute about 60% of the fecal mass. Anaerobes outnumber facultative organisms by 1000-fold ( 96 99% of the flora consists of anaerobes). Six major phyla predominate; these are Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Archae lnvolve: methane producers species protozoans and fungi, also presents, whose functions are less well understood.
The importance of intestine microbiota The important functions of intestinal microbiota can be divided into three major categories : 1. Protective functions : in which the resident bacteria displace and inhibit potential pathogens indirectly by competing for nutrients and receptors or directly through the production of antimicrobial factors, such as bacteriocins and lactic acid. 2. Their role in development and function of the mucosal immune system. They induce the secretion of IgA, influence the development of the intestinal humoral immune system, modulate local T-cell responses and cytokine profiles.
The importance of intestine microbiota 3. A broad range of metabolic functions: They contribute to the amino acid requirements of the host if they are not provided by the diet itself. produce short-chain fatty acids that control intestinal epithelial cell differentiation. They synthesize vitamin K, biotin, and folate and enhance ion absorption. Certain bacteria metabolize dietary carcinogens and assist with fermentation of nondigestible dietary residue.
Infections with intestinal microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals, some components of the flora can result in disease. For example, inflammatory bowel diseases are believed to be associated with a loss of immune tolerance to bacterial antigens. This leads to intense inflammation caused by an excessive immune response. mechanisms may be important in intestinal malignancy such as colon cancer.
IV. Normal microbiota of the urethra The anterior urethras of both sexes contain small numbers of the same types of organisms found on the skin and perineum. These organisms regularly appear in normal voided urine in numbers of 102 104/mL.
V. Normal microbiota of the vagina Aerobic and anaerobic lactobacilli are the dominant They contribute to the maintenance of acid pH through the production of acid from carbohydrates, particularly glycogen. its important mechanism in preventing the establishment of other, harmful microorganisms. if lactobacilli are suppressed by the administration of antimicrobial drugs, yeasts or various bacteria increase in numbers and cause irritation and inflammations.
The other important normal flora includes: Group B streptococci in as many as 25% of women of childbearing age. During the birth process, a baby can acquire group B streptococci, which subsequently may cause neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Other group -hemolytic streptococci, anaerobic streptococci , Prevotella species, clostridia, and sometimes Listeria species
VI. Normal microbiota of the conjunctiva The predominant organisms of the conjunctiva are: Diphtheroids S. epidermidis Nonhemolytic streptococci. Neisseriae and gram-negative bacilli The conjunctival flora is normally affected by the flow of tears, which contain antibacterial lysozyme.
References Reidle, S., Morse, S. A., Meitzner, T., and Miller, S. 2019. Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg s Medical Microbiology , Twenty- Eight Edition. The McGraw-Hill education, Inc. USA 2- Levinson, W. 2016. Review of medical microbiology and immunology,14th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. USA
