Normal Microbial Flora

2ED YEAR NURSING

BY

DR. ABEER BARHAMEEN

 Objectives and Outcomes

To learn about related terms and definitions.

To differentiate between different relationship
between the microorganisms.
To understand what is the role of normal flora?
To recognize sites and distribution of the normal
microbial flora.
To understand when normal flora can cause harm
to human.
For Further Readings
 Terms and Definitions

Symbiosis:
 Symbioun : live together.
 A relationship between different microorganisms where it
gives at least one of them nutritional benefit, usually one of
three forms:
 Commensalism
 Mutualism
 Parasitism
 Terms and Definitions

Commensalism
 Interaction of 2 micro organisms one get benefit and the other
not affected.

Mutualism
 Cooperative relationship where both microorganisms get some
benefit.

Parasitism
 One microorganism called parasite feed on another called host
 What is Normal Flora?

Normal flora or microbiota: bacteria that live in

association with skin or mucous membrane of
human. There are 2 types:
Resident flora:
 Constant flora and cannot removed completely.

Transient flora:
 Consist of pathogenic and non-pathogenic. Usually acquired
from environment. Can sty for few hours or days or weeks.
 Role of Normal Microbial Flora

They prevent the entry of the pathogens.

Producing some vitamin K and B.
Enhancing the immune system against the
organisms shared same antigens.
Some normal flora can produce antibiotics.
Some normal flora can liberate endotoxins against
some pathogens.
When Normal Flora Started?
 Normal Flora

New born babe, organs such as liver, eye, lungs, CSF

, blood stream ……..etc. are usually sterile have no
normal flora.

Large intestine:
 Has more bacteria than other part of the human body.
 99% of normal flora are anaerobic (Bacteroides. spp.).
 Many fungi, viruses and protozoa are live there.
 Many of normal flora are opportunistic e.g. E. coli
 For Further Readings

BAILEY & SCOTT`S Diagnostic Microbiology, 12th eds.

(2007), by B. A. Forbes, D.F. Sahm & A.S. Weissfeld.
MOSBY-ELSEVIER.

• Mim`s medical microbiology, 4th eds. (2008), by R. V.

Goering, H. M. Dockrell, M. Zuckerman, D. Wakelin, I.
M. Roitt, C. Mims & P. L. Chiodini. MOSBY-ELSEVIER.

Review of medical microbiology and immunology. 11th

eds, by W. Levinson. McGraw Hill companies (2010).