Microbiology Module

Lesson 6
Normal Microbial Flora of the Human Body

Everyday we come in contact with an enormous number and variety of microorganisms. Some
enter our respiratory system as we breath; others are ingested with each bite of food or sip of
drink; and still more adhere to our skin whenever we touch an object or surface. However, the
vast majority of these microbes cause no harm. Some may colonize the body surfaces, taking up
residence with the variety of other harmless microbes. Relatively few microbes cause noticeable
damage to the human body.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the normal microbiota in the human body.
2. Enlist the Advantages and Disadvantages of flora.
The normal microbiota is the population of microorganisms routinely found growing on the body
of healthy individuals. Microbes that typically inhabit body sites for extended periods are
resident microbiota, whereas temporary occupants are transient microbiota.

Fig. 1. Normal microbiota. This shows only some of the common genera; many others may also
be present. Source: https://quizlet.com/

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Two types of flora:

(1) resident flora, which consists of relatively fixed types of microorganisms regularly
found in a given area at a given age;
(2) transient flora, which consists of microorganisms that inhabit the skin and mucous
membrane temporarily for hours, days or weeks and are derived from the environment. In
general, normal flora is beneficial to us because they can inhibit the growth of pathogenic
organisms by priming the immune system.

Normal Flora of Different Sites

Table 1: Bacteria commonly found on the surfaces of the human body

BACTERIUM Ski Conjunctiv Nos Pharyn Mout Lower Anterio Vagin

n a e x h Intestin r a
e urethra

Staphylococcus epidermidis (1) ++ + ++ ++ ++ + ++ ++
Staphylococcus aureus*  (2) +  +/- + + + ++ +/- +
Streptococcus mitis  + ++  +/-  + +
Streptococcus  salivarius  ++  ++ 
Streptococcus mutans* (3) + ++
Enterococcus faecalis* (4) +/-  + ++ + +
Streptococcus pneumoniae* (5) +/-  +/-  + + +/-
Streptococcus pyogenes* (6) +/- +/- + + +/- +/-
Neisseria sp. (7) + +  ++  + + +
Neisseria meningitidis* (8) + ++ + +
Enterobacteriaceae* (Escherich +/-  +/- +/- + ++ + +
ia coli) (9) 
Proteus sp. +/-  + + + + + +
Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (10) +/-  +/- +  +/-
Haemophilus influenzae* (11) +/-  +  +  +
Bacteroides sp.* ++  + +/-
Bifidobacterium bifidum (12) ++
Lactobacillus sp. (13) + ++ ++ ++
Clostridium sp.* (14)  +/-  ++
Clostridium tetani (15) +/-

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Corynebacteria (16) ++ + ++ + + + + +
Mycobacteria + +/- +/-  + + 
Actinomycetes + + 
Spirochetes + ++ ++
Mycoplasmas  + + + +/- +

++ = nearly 100 % + = common (about 25 %)      +/- = rare  (less than 5%)       * = potential pathogen

Skin
 part of the human body constantly in contact with the environment, making it the
area of the body most exposed to different microorganisms.

The diversity of bacteria vary based on the different locations of our skin. Our skin is divided into
three parts: The dry portion, the moist portion, and sebaceous (containing sebum).

The dry portions of our skin include forearm, buttocks, hands, etc. This portion contains the
greatest diversity of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, such as Actinobacteria,
Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria.

The moist areas of our skin include umbilicus, underarm, inguinal and gluteal creases, and inside
the elbow, etc. These portions of the skin exhibit less diversity of microorganisms. It contains
mostly some Firmicutes and Actinobacteria such as Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp.

The oily sebaceous sites contain the lowest diversity of bacteria including most members of
Actinobacteria (Propionibacterium spp.). The oily portions of our skin include the forehead,
behind the ear, and the back.

Fungi

Our skin also contains more than 14 different genera of fungi, including;
dermatophytes (skin living fungi) such as Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton
rubrum and nondermatophyte fungi (opportunistic fungi that can live in the skin) such
as Rhizopus stolonifer, Trichosporon cutaneum, Fusarium, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis,
Curvularia, Alternaria alternata, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium species.

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Mouth

The mouth has an optimum environment (water, nutrients, neutral pH, and moderate temperature)
which will help in the growth of microorganisms.

Nose, and Pharynx( Throat)

The Normal Microbiota of pharynx is including some potential pathogenic bacteria such
as Streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria meningitides, and Haemophilus influenza. Also, a large
number of non-pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria are commonly found in both the nose and
nasopharynx.

Respiratory Tract

Our lower and upper portion of the respiratory tract is free of microorganisms because there are
three important reasons such as;

1. A continuous stream of mucus entraps the microorganisms, and the ciliated epithelial cells
continually move the entrapped microorganisms out of the respiratory tract.

2. Alveolar macrophages destroy the microorganisms.

3. A bactericidal effect is exerted by the enzyme lysozyme, present in the nasal mucus.

The enzyme lysozyme (nasal mucus) shows a bactericidal effect that kills all the bacteria.

Conjunctival Sac ( Eye)

The normal flora in the conjunctivae are very scanty because they are held in
check by the flow of tears, which contain lysozyme. A small number of bacteria are
present in eyes.

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Digestive Tract

The stomach rapidly becomes sterile after meals due to the gastric acid secreted
by the stomach. The small intestine contains scanty flora, except in the lower ileum, due
to the peristaltic movement of the intestines.

Intestinal flora play important roles in our body, namely: (1) synthesis of vitamin B
complex and vitamin K; (2) conversion of bile to bile acids; (3) competition with transient flora
for nutrients; (4) prevention of colonization of intestines by such transient flora; and (5)
production of potentially pathogenic end-products of metabolism that are toxic to transient flora.

Genito-Urinary Tract
The urinary tract is sterile above the distal 1 cm of the urethra. The vaginal flora before
puberty and postmenopausal stage are derived from the flora of the skin and colon. During the
childbearing age, the predominant vaginal flora is Lactobacillus and yeasts. Lactobacillus,
specifically, plays a crucial role in preventing gonococcal infection by producing lactic acid,
which adds to the acidity of the vagina. Young girls are more prone to development of
gonococcal infection compared to adult women because (1) the normal acidic pH of the vagina is
not yet fully established, and (2) their normal vaginal flora is not yet fully established, so they do
not have the protection of Lactobacillus.

What to Do: Answer the following questions

1. Fill in the Table below by indicating the disease created by each
bacterium
Bacterium Disease
1. Streptococcus mutans bacteraemia and infective
endocarditis.
2.Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia
3.Streptococcus pyogenes scarlet fever, bacteremia,
pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis,

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myonecrosis and Streptococcal

4. Neisseria meningitidis
5. E. coli
6.  Haemophilus influenzae
7. Bacteroides in intestinal tract
8. Lactobacilli in the oral cavity
9.  Clostridium difficile
10. corynebacterial in face
Toxic Shock Syndrome (StrepTSS)
meningococcal disease
holecystitis, bacteremia,
cholangitis, urinary tract infection
(UTI), and traveler's diarrhea, and
other clinical infections such as
neonatal meningitis and
pneumonia.
meningitis (inflammation of the
coverings of the spinal column and
brain), bacteremia (infection of the
blood), and pneumonia (infection
of the lungs)
Crohn's disease
Dental carries
diarrhea and colitis
Diphtheria

In-Text Questions:
2. Microorganisms that inhabit the skin and mucous membranes of healthy
normal individuals is called as normal microbial flora.
3. Normal flora can be grouped as _______________ & _________________
flora.
4. Fixed type of microorganisms that are found in given area is described as
_________________________
5. Give two (2) reasons why our upper and lower respiratory tract is free of
microorganisms.
a. __________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________
6. Name two (2) roles of intestinal flora.
a. __________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________
7. What is the predominant vaginal flora during childbearing years?
a. ________________________
b. ________________________

8. Explain the picture below in 2-3 sentences. (5 pts)

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https://www.google.com/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________,

Beneficial Effects of the Normal Flora

The overall beneficial effects of microbes are summarized below.
1. The normal flora synthesizes and excretes vitamins in excess of their own needs, which can
be absorbed as nutrients by their host. For example, in humans, enteric bacteria secrete Vitamin
K and Vitamin B12, and lactic acid bacteria produce certain B-vitamins. Germ-free animals may
be deficient in Vitamin K to the extent that it is necessary to supplement their diets.
2. The normal flora prevents colonization by pathogens by competing for attachment sites or
for essential nutrients.  This is thought to be their most important beneficial effect, which has
been demonstrated in the oral cavity, the intestine, the skin, and the vaginal epithelium.  In some
experiments, germ-free animals can be infected by 10 Salmonella bacteria, while the infectious
dose for conventional animals is near 106 cells.
3. The normal flora may antagonize other bacteria through the production of substances
which inhibit or kill nonindigenous species. The intestinal bacteria produce a variety of
substances ranging from relatively nonspecific fatty acids and peroxides to highly specific
bacteriocins, which inhibit or kill other bacteria.
4. The normal flora stimulate the development of certain tissues, i.e., the caecum and certain
lymphatic tissues (Peyer's patches) in the GI tract. The caecum of germ-free animals is enlarged,
thin-walled, and fluid-filled, compared to that organ in conventional animals. Also, based on the
ability to undergo immunological stimulation, the intestinal lymphatic tissues of germ-free
animals are poorly-developed compared to conventional animals.
5. The normal flora stimulates the production of natural antibodies. Since the normal flora
behaves as antigens in an animal, they induce an immunological response, in particular, an
antibody-mediated immune (AMI) response.  Low levels of antibodies produced against

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components of the normal flora are known to cross react with certain related pathogens, and
thereby prevent infection or invasion.  Antibodies produced against antigenic components of the
normal flora are sometimes referred to as "natural" antibodies, and such antibodies are lacking in
germ-free animals.

Disadvantages of Normal Microbiota

There are several harmful effects of normal microflora on the human body;

1. Bacterial synergism

This means that normal flora is helping another potential pathogen to grow or survive. There are
present few normal microflora that supply vitamins and nutrients to a pathogen for growing and
survive, which is known as cross-feeding between microbes.

For Example, During the treatment of “staph-protected infections”, a penicillin-resistant

staphylococcus which is a component of the normal microflora shares its drug resistance
properties with pathogens that are otherwise susceptible to the drug.

2. Competition for nutrients

The normal microflora absorbs vitamins and nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract of animals
for their own needs.

3.Toxin production

Some bacteria of normal microflora produce toxic compounds in the host body, which results in
some harmful effects.

4. Opportunistic Infection or can cause Disease

Sometimes normal microflora can cause disease in the host body. If somehow the normal defense
system or immune system of a host body is unable to restrict, or cannot tolerate the overgrowth of
normal microflora; weakening or collapse of the immune system, then it can cause diseases in
the host body.
Note: members of microbiota that can cause disease are known as opportunistic
pathogens

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5. Translocation or migration of normal microflora into a sterile body site that are not
supposed to present ( bladder, kidneys, blood stream, lungs, peritoneal cavity, Central Nervous
system, muscle tissue). Ex. E.coli of GI tract migrates to Urinary tract can cause UTI.

References:

Anderson, D.G., S.N. Salm, D.P. Allen and E.W. Nester. (2016). Nester’s Microbiology. 8 th ed.
Mc-Graw Hill Education, USA
https://microbiologynote.com/normal-microbiota/
https://www.onlinebiologynotes.com/normal-flora-human-host-types-examples-roles/
https://slideplayer.com/slide/13015533/
https://upendrats.blogspot.com/2013/06/normal-flora-of-human-body_30.html

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