LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY SCIENCES (FNMS)

DIPLOMA NURSING JULY 2015 INTAKE

SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES DEFENSE

MECHANISMS

Dr Simpokolwe Kaziwe
THREE LINES OF DEFENSE AGAINST INFECTION
 SKIN FUNCTIONS

1. Protection from injury

2. Protection against infection
3. Regulates body temperature
4. Regulates water loss
5. Sensory perception
Skin has two Layers:
1. EPIDERMIS: Thin outer layer of epithelial tissue.
Contains Langerhans cells, dead cells, and keratin.
Composed of many layers of epithelial cells. Outermost
sheets of cells embedded with keratin(Makes skin
water-repellent).
2. DERMIS: Thick inner layer of tightly woven fibrous
connective tissues.Infections are rare in intact skin.
Exceptions:
• Hookworms can penetrate intact skin
• Dermatophytes: “Skin loving” fungi
MUCOUS MEMBRANES:
Are tissues that protect the interior surfaces of the
body that may be exposed to pathogens.
They serve as a barrier and secret mucus, and they line
gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and respiratory tracts.
It contains two layers: Outer epithelial and inner
connective layer.
Several microorganisms are capable of penetrating
mucous membranes:
• Papillomavirus
• Treponema pallidum
• Enteroinvasive E. coli
• Entamoeba histolytica
ANTIMICROBIAL SUBSTANCES
1. LYSOZYME

Enzymes that degrade peptidoglycan.

Found in tears, saliva, blood and phagocytes.
2. PEROXIDASE

Found in saliva, body tissues and phagocytes.

Breaks down hydrogen peroxide to produce reactive
oxygen.
3. LACTOFERRIN

Sequesters iron from microorganisms. Iron essential for
microbial growth.

Found in saliva, some phagocytes, blood and tissue
fluids.
4. DEFENSINS

Antimicrobial peptides inserted into microbial
membrane.

Found on mucous membranes and in phagocytes.
MECHANICAL DEFENSES
1.Lacrimal apparatus: Continual washing and blinking
prevents microbes from settling on the eye surface.
2.Saliva: Washes microbes from teeth and mouth
mucous membranes.
3. Mucus: Thick secretion that traps many microbes.
4. Nose Hair: Coated with mucus. Filter dust, pollen,
and microbes.
5. Ciliary Escalator: Cilia on mucous membranes of
lower respiratory tract move upwards towards
throat.
6. Coughing and sneezing: Expel foreign objects.
7. Urination: Cleanses urethra.
8. Vaginal Secretions: Remove microbes from
genital tract.
CHEMICAL DEFENSES
1. Sebum: Oily substance produced by sebaceous
glands that forms a protective layer over skin.
Contains unsaturated fatty acids which inhibit
growth of certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
2. pH: Low skin pH usually between 3 and 5.
Caused by lactic acid and fatty acids.
3. Lysozyme: Enzyme that breaks down gram-
positive cell walls. Found in nasal secretions,
saliva, tears and sweat.
4.Gastric Juice: Mixture of hydrochloric acid,
enzymes, and mucus. Kills many microbes and
destroys most toxins.

5.Transferrins: Iron-binding proteins in blood which

inhibit bacterial growth by reducing available iron.