MICROBIAL

ECOLOGY
Objectives
 Microbial ecology (Definition)
 Human microflora
 Microflora of the soil, water, air
 Sanitary microbiology
Definition
 Ecology (from Greek: oicos, "house", or
"environment"; -logos, "study of“) is the scientific
analysis and study of interactions among
organisms and their environment.
 Microbial ecology (or environmental
microbiology) is the ecology of microorganisms:
studies their mutual relationship with each other
and with their environment.
Symbiosis
 Mutual relation (cohabitation) of different species
of microbes among themselves and with other
forms of life are called symbiosis.
NATURAL MICROBIAL HABITATS

Soil

Water

Air

Human

Animals and Animal Products

Normal microflora of humans
First Acquiring Resident Microflora
 Mother’s birth canal
 Mother’s breast milk
 Bottle-feeding
 People
 Air
 Surfaces

 The only time that humans are sterile is when they are
in the uterus.
Normal Flora
 Normal biota=flora (Microbiome) is beneficial.
 Bacteria stimulate immune system,
 Prevent colonization by potential pathogens
The members of the normal flora
 They
can cause disease, especially in
immunocompromised and debilitated individuals.
 Although these organisms are nonpathogens in their
usual anatomic location, they can be pathogens in
other parts of the body.
 They constitute a protective host defense mechanism.
 The nonpathogenic resident bacteria occupy
attachment sites on the skin and mucosa that can
interfere with colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
 They may serve a nutritional function.
 The intestinal bacteria produce several B vitamins
and vitamin K.
Host-Microbe Relationships: Symbiosis
 Symbiotic relationships can be one of several
forms
 Mutualism
 Both members benefit from relationship
 E.coli produce useful products (Vit K) in our large
intestine
 Parasitism
 One member benefits, one member is harmed
 Commensalism
 Onemember benefits, one member is not benefited nor
harmed
 Microbes on our skin utilize skin products
Microflora

Resident Microflora
Microbes always present on or in the body
Transient Microflora
Microbes present for shorter periods of time
(minutes to months)
Carriers are those individuals in whom
pathogenic organisms are present in
significant numbers
therefore are a source of infection for
others.
MICROBIAL FLORA OF THE NORMAL
HUMAN BODY (normal flora)
SKIN
RESPIRATORY TRACT
Nose and Nasopharynx; Mouth and Oropharynx
EYE (Conjunctivae) and OUTER EAR
INTESTINAL TRACT
Stomach and Small Intestine; Large Intestine;
Intestinal Tract of Newborn
Antibiotic Alteration of Flora
Significance of Intestinal Flora
GENITOURINARY TRACT
External Genitalia & Anterior Urethra
Vagina
 Portals of entry
Portals of entry – characteristic route a microbe
follows to enter the tissues of the body
 skin - nicks, abrasions, punctures, incisions
 gastrointestinal tract – food, drink, and other ingested
materials
 respiratory tract – oral and nasal cavities
 urogenital tract – sexual, displaced organisms
 transplacental
 Exogenous agents originate from source outside
the body.
 Endogenous agents already exist on or in the
body (normal flora).
Skin
 Intact skin is the body’s first line of defense
against infection.
 Stratified
(laminar) and cornified (stratum
cornium) epithelium provides a mechanical
barrier
 Indigenous microbiota competes with pathogens
 Acid pH inhibits growth of disease producing
bacteria
 Bactericidal long chain fatty acids in sebaceous
gland secretions
Mucus membranes

 Mucus membranes – layers of

mucosal cells that line body cavities
that open to the outside (digestive,
genitourinary and respiratory tracts)
 Mucus is produced by the mucosal cells
 Contains antimicrobial substance such as
lysozymes, lactoferrin (sequester iron)
 Mucosal cells are rapidly dividing  flush out
of body along with attached bacteria
Eye
 Eyetears contain a high concentration of
lysozyme (effective against gram positive
microorganisms)
Gastro-Intestinal Tract
 General defense mechanisms
 Mucous secretions
 Integrity of mucosal epithelium
 Peristaltic motions of the gut propel contents downward
 Secretory antibody and phagocytic cells
 Stomach
 Generally sterile due to low pH
 Small Intestine
 Upper portion contains few bacteria
 As distal end of ileum is reached flora increases
 Colon
 Enormous numbers of microorganisms
 50-60% of fecal dry weight is bacteria
 Normal Microflora of the Gastrointestinal Tract
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract
 Consists of stomach, small intestine, and large
intestine
 The stomach’s acidity keeps the number of
microorganisms at a minimum (102– 103/mL of
contents) unless obstruction at the pylorus favors
the proliferation of gram-positive cocci and bacilli.
 Responsible for digestion of food, absorption of
nutrients, and production of nutrients by the
indigenous microbial flora
 Contains 1013 to 1014 microbial cells
Normal Microflora of the Oral Cavity

 The oral cavity is a complex, heterogeneous

microbial habitat
 Saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes
 But high concentrations of nutrients near surfaces in
the mouth promote localized microbial growth
 The tooth consists of a mineral matrix (enamel)
surrounding living tissue.
Normal Microflora of the Oral Cavity

 Extensive growth of oral microorganisms,

especially streptococci, results in a thick
bacterial layer (dental plaque)
 As plaque continues to develop,
anaerobic bacterial species begin to
grow
Normal Microflora of the Oral Cavity

 As dental plaque accumulates, the

microorganisms produce high
concentrations of acid that results in
decalcification of the tooth enamel
(dental caries)
 The lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus
sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans are
common agents in dental caries
.
Distribution of dental plaque

Day 10 22,522 mm2

Respiratory Tract
 Upper Respiratory Tract

 Nasal hairs induce turbulence

 Mucous secretions trap particles
 Mucous stream to the base of tongue where
material is swallowed
 Nasal secretions contain antimicrobial substances
 Upper respiratory tract contains large resident
flora
 Respiratory Tract
 Lower Respiratory Tract
 Particles trapped on mucous membranes of bronchi and
bronchioles
 Beating action of cilia causes mucociliary stream to flow up
into the pharynx where it is swallowed
 90% of particles removed this way. Only smallest particles
(<10µ in diameter) reach alveoli
 Alveoli
 Alveolar macrophage rapidly phagocytize small particles
 The lower respiratory tract lacks microflora in healthy
individuals (steril)
Normal Microflora of Other Body Regions
 Urogenital Tract
 The bladder is typically sterile in both males and
females
 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.
 Altered conditions (such as change in pH) can cause
potential pathogens in the urethra (such as
Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis) to multiply
and become pathogenic
 E. coli frequently cause urinary tract infections.
Genitourinary tract
 Urinarytract is sterile in a health person
except the distal urethra
 How?

 Urination

 Secretion (vaginal and seminal fluid)

 LowpH of vagina (presence of several
Lactobacillus sp., Candida albicans)
Genitourinary Tract
 Male
 No bacteria above urethrovesicular junction
 Frequent flushing action of urine
 Bactericidal substances from prostatic fluid
 pH of urine
 Bladder mucosal cells may be phagocytic
 Urinary sIgA
 Female (Vagina)
 Large microbial population (lactobacilli)
 Microorganisms produce low pH due to breakdown of
glycogen produced by mucosal cells
 Areas of the Body that
are usually Sterile

 Circulatory system  Blood

 Organs  Urine in the kidneys,
 Glands ureters, and bladder
 Lungs  Cerebrospinal fluid
 Sinuses  Saliva before oral
 Middle and inner ear cavity
 Brain  Semen before the
 Internal eye urethra
 Muscles
Microflora of the soil
Microflora of the soil
 The soil is the major environment for a habitation of
microorganisms.
 The microflora of soil includes hundreds of species of
bacteria, viruses, protozoa, actinomyces and fungi. It is
various species of putrefactiving, nitrifying,
denitrifying, nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
 The amount of bacteria in one gram of soil can be very
great - from 200 millions up to 10 billions.
 The most often inhabitants of soil are the
representatives of genus Azotobacter, Nocardia, and
Clostridium.
 With discharges of the sick people and animals into soil can
get and some time such microorganisms as C.tetani,
C.perfringens, C.novyi, C.botulinum, S.typhi, Shigella
spp. and others will be saved.
 The important value soil microflora has during wars.
At mass wounds the danger of contamination of wounds by
ground is considerably enlarged. It contains spores of
anaerobic bacteria, which penetrating in a wound can cause
such serious wound fevers as a tetanus and anaerobic gas
infection. It always should be taken into account in the
system of prophylaxis of communicable diseases.
Sanitary - indicative bacteria
 Sanitary - indicative bacteria of soil are Escherichia coli,
Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens and termophilic
bacteria.
 A degree of fecal contamination of soil is determined on presence
and quantity(amount) of first three species.
 More exact rating is manufactured at definition coli - index, that is
amount of bacteria E.coli in 1 g of soil.
 Also general microbial number (GNM) - quantity(amount) of all
saprophytic bacteria in 1 g of soil is examined.
 The soil is considered pure, if its coli-index does not exceed 2000,
and the quantity of termophilic bacteria is in limits 100 - 1000.
 Under the epidemic indications soil also is inspected on presence
in it pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, C.tetani,
C.botulinum, Cl.perfringens, B.anthracis and others).
Microflora of water
 Water is a natural medium of a habitation of
various microorganisms. In sweet and salty waters
representatives of all groups of bacteria are found
Protozoa, Fungi, Viruses, Water - plant. The
collection of all aqueous microorganisms is named
as a microbial plankton.
 Micrococcus candicans, M. roseus, Sarcina lutea,
Bacterium aquatilis communis, Pseudomonas
fluorescens. The anaerobes represent by species
Clostridium, Bacillus cereus, B. mycoides.
Microflora of water
 Sometimes the pathogenic bacteria in water can get and they
will be saved for some time: S. typhi, V. cholerae, S.
dysentеriae. Often various viruses are found: Polioviruses,
Hepadnaviruses, Enteroviruses and others.
 Water plays very important role in epidemiology of many
contagious diseases (typhoid, dysentery, cholera,
poliomyelitis, virus hepatites and others). The causative
agents of these illnesses are discharged with feces of the
patients and carriers. Together with sewage they enter in
water of open reservoirs. In summer time some bacteria,
including Vibrio cholerae, can even multiply. To catch it is
possible through ice, in which the pathogenic bacteria can be
saved during several weeks and even of months
coliform rods
 The most important metrics of fecal contamination of
water all over the world is examination of bacteria of
an intestinal rod group belong to:
 family Enterobacteriaceae (Citrobacter, Escherichia,
Enterobacter, Klebsiella).
 These bacteria are discharges in an environment only
with feces of the man and hematothermal animals.
 The index of fecal contamination is definded also by
means of S. faecalis, C. perfringens, Proteus and
coliphages.
Microflora of water
 In many countries for a rating of quality of potable water the
normative documents or state standards are taken. Microbiologic
index of safety of potable water are the following:
 1. Common microbial number in one ml of water - no
more than 100.
 2. Number of bacteria of intestinal rod group (coli-index)
in 1000 ml of water - no more than 3.
 3. Index of fresh fecal contamination, that is
quantity(amount) E.coli in 1000 ml of water - absence.
 Quantity coli-phages (number of colony-forming units) in
1000 ml of water - absence.
 Besides in 25 litters of potable water pathogenic Protozoa
(cyst of lamblia, dysenteric amebas, balantidia) and ovum of
helmints there should be absent.
Microflora of water

 Common microbial number of water is examined

by inoculation of 1 ml of water in melted and
refrigerated up to 50 C in agar in Petri dishes.
Coli-index is determined by a method of
membrane filters or fermentation tests.
Microflora of air
 Air for microorganisms is less favorable environment, than soil
and water.
 There are almost no the nutritious materials necessary for
reproduction of bacteria.
 Desiccation and the ultraviolet rays operate perniciously on
microorganisms.
 Nevertheless, many microbes in air can be saved more or less long
time. The composition of a microflora of air is very various. It
depends on cleanness of air, deposits, temperature, humidity,
climate and geographical conditions.
 Than it is more in air of a dust, smoke, soot, the more
microorganisms.
 Vice-versa, above mountains, seas, oceans and woods, where air is
pure, it is not enough of microbes.
 Main sources of microbial air pollution is the soil, water and man.
Microflora of air
 In natural conditions in air there are hundreds saprophytic
microorganisms.
 A microflora of air is divided on resident (it is more
often) and temporary, less resistant (it is found out is
sporadic). The greatest quantity of microbes stocky layers
of an atmosphere contains.
 The constant microflora of air is shaped at the expense of
soil microorganisms. In its composition many species of
Actinomyces, Penicillinum, Aspergillus, Mucor and
others go into. There are many Micrococcous roseus, M.
candicans, M. luteus, Sarcina lutea, S. alba, S. rosea,
Bacillus subtilis, B. mycoides, B. mesentericus.
 In open air spaces there are less of microbes, than in the
closed rooms.
Microflora of air
The contamination of air by the pathogenic microorganism
descends by a trickling way in composition of aerosol.
It is derived during talk, cough, sneeze.
The microbes get in air also with particles of an epithelium of
dermal integuments. They are durably saved in air and up to a
sedimentation is evaporated.
The dust phase has large drops, which fast settle and are
evaporated. The bacteria in such phase can are transferred on the
large distances. This is very dangerous. They can penetrating into
lungs.
The patient may discharges pathogenic bacteria and viruses
together with a sputum, spit and salive. Even the healthy man at
one sneeze discharges in air 10000-20000 microbial bodies, and
the patient - in many times more.
 Microflora of air

Sanitary - indicative
microorganisms are the
representatives of a microflora of
upper respiratory tract:
Streptococci haеmolyticus,
S.viridans, Staphylococcus
aureus.
Microflora of air

 The large value there is a cleanness of air in

operation rooms, reanimation department, dressing
rooms, maternity halls and chambers for neonatal.
Total number of microbes in operation hall before the
operation should not exceed 500 in 1 м3, and after
operation - 1000 in 1 м3. The quantity of haemolytic
and viridans streptococci should not be at all.
 Examination of air microflora is made according to
Koch’s sedimentation method or Krotov’s
aspiration method.