Related Experiment Videos
The normal human anaerobic microflora
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. Supplementum
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Anaerobic bacteria are abundant in the human body, dominating mucous membranes like the mouth, gut, and vagina. These bacteria, including cocci and gram-negative rods, play a significant role in normal microflora composition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Microbiome Studies
Background:
- Anaerobic bacteria are a major component of the human microflora, particularly on mucosal surfaces.
- Sites like the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract host rich anaerobic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the prevalence and distribution of anaerobic bacteria in various human body sites.
- To quantify bacterial concentrations and identify dominant anaerobic species in different microenvironments.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and quantitative analyses of bacterial flora.
- Microbiological sampling and colony-forming unit (cfu) counts from saliva, tooth surfaces, gingival scrapings, intestinal content, faeces, and vaginal samples.
Main Results:
- Anaerobic bacteria significantly outnumber aerobic bacteria in the oral cavity (10:1), gingival crevice (1000:1), and vagina (10:1).
- High bacterial concentrations (10^8–10^12 cfu/ml or cfu/g) were observed in saliva, gingival scrapings, and the colon.
- Predominant anaerobic bacteria include cocci in the mouth, gram-negative rods in the gingival crevice, and bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and bacteroides in the lower intestine.
Conclusions:
- Anaerobic bacteria are a dominant and diverse component of the human microflora across multiple body sites.
- Understanding the distribution and types of anaerobic bacteria is crucial for comprehending normal human physiology and potential health implications.