MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
o Study of numerous interrelationships
between man and the world around them.
Symbiotic Relationships
 Symbiosis – living together or close
association of two dissimilar
organisms.
 Symbionts – organisms that live
together in such a relationship.
 Neutralism – used to describe a symbiotic
relationship in which neither symbiont is
affected by the relationship.
 Commensalism – a symbiotic relationship
that is beneficial to one symbiotic and of no
consequence
 Mutualism – is a symbiotic relationship that
is beneficial to both symbionts
 Parasitism – symbiotic relationship that is
beneficial to one symbiont and detrimental
to the other symbiont
Indigenous Microbiota of Humans
o Human microbiome or human biome; moist,
warm environment, provide excellent
condition for their growth.
 Transient microorganisms – take
up temporary residence on and
within humans.
 Antibiotic therapy
Super infection – overgrowth/population explosion
of an organism that is usually present in low
numbers
Microbiota of the Skin
- Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and
Propionibacterium  pimples/acne; moist,
warm conditions, in hairy areas, sweat
glands; moist folds between toes and
fingers; dry callous areas; frequent washing
with soap and water; infections after burn.
Microbiota of the ears and eyes
- Outer and auditory canal contain the same
type of microorganism; eye protected by
antimicrobial substances of tears and
lysozyme.
Microbiota of the Respiratory tract
- Nasal passages and throat have an abundant
and varied population of microorganism
Microbiota of the oral cavity
- Anaerobic microorganism and aerobic
microorganism.
 Hemolytic streptococci – common
microorganism in the mouth
 Streptococcus mutans – formation
of dental plaque.
Microbiota of the GI tract
- low in gastric pH and gastric enzymes; bile
 Helicobacter pylori – cause of ulcer
Microbiota of the Genito-urinary tract
- Distal urethra and external opening of
urethra harbors many microbes  bacteria,
yeast, viruses; microorganism cannot invade
the bladder.
- Frequent urination prevents UTI
- Reproductive system is sterile except from
vagina.
 Puberty and after menopause –
alkaline  diphtheroid, streptococci,
staphylococci, and coliform
 Childbearing years – Acidic 
lactobacilli, few beta hemolytic
streptococci, staphylococcus,
diphtheroid and yeast.
 Lactic acid – metabolic product of
lactobacilli
 Bacterial Vaginosis – vaginal
infection caused by imbalance of
naturally bacterial flora.
 Candidiasis – low number of
lactobacilli
Microbial Antagonism
o Microbes vs Microbes
Opportunistic Pathogens – organisms that are
hanging around, waiting for the opportunity to
cause infection
Biotherapeutic Agents – help to go back in good
health
MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES
YAMBAO, CHANNELA ANNE M.
 Biofilms – complex and persistent
communities of assorted microbes; form on
bones, heart valves, tissues, and inanimate
objects; very resistant to antibiotics,
disinfectants, and host-defend mechanism.

Synergistic infection – two or more

microorganism team up to produce a disease
that neither could cause by itself.

YAMBAO, CHANNELA ANNE M.