The normal microflora: an introduction

Gut Microbiota, Probiotics, and Human Health

“…The former attitude of microorganisms as something alien to humans or even dangerous changed into the understanding that bacteria (more correct would be the term “microbiota,” including viruses, bacteria, archaea and some eukaryotes) are normal and even necessary for proper functioning of the human organism, populating the entire body with large a prevalence of microbes in such loci as the gut, skin, mouth and urogenital system. The gut is the human organ the most populated by bacteria, the number of which exceeds by at least by two orders of magnitude the total number of human body cells [1, 2]. This understanding gradually allowed change the entire concept of the indigenous microbiota as a vitally important part of the body and its role in the maintenance of human health.…”

“…This understanding gradually allowed change the entire concept of the indigenous microbiota as a vitally important part of the body and its role in the maintenance of human health. At present with the advent of new sequencing technologies and the joint effort of American and European microbiota analysis programs (Human Microbiome Project - www.hmpdacc.org and MetaHIT - www.metahit.eu) the composition and the major dominant bacterial phyla , representing human microbiota were identified in contrast to the previous studies based on classical bacteriology [1]. It is established that bacterial content of human gut microbiota is composed mainly from Firmicutes, Bacteriodetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria , Fusobacteria and Archaea with predominance of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes [3, 4].…”

Evaluation of probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics in a large pig nursery

“…They may promote growth by competing with harmful gut flora, and by stimulating the immune system of the animal and therefore increasing its resistance to infectious agents (Tannock 1980, Fuller 1989, Khajarern and Khajarern 1994. Several studies in various animal species have indicated a beneficial role of probiotics against diseases; for example, they may control some Escherichia coli-induced diseases (Khajarern and Khajarern 1994, Zani and others 1998, Kyriakis and others 1999, Genovese and others 2000.…”

An overview of the effects of antibiotics and medicinal plant extracts on the human microflora

“…However, the outer and inner surfaces of tissues are inhibited with numerous microorganisms known as indigenous microbiota, microbiome, normal flora or microflora, the majority are bacteria and few of them are fungi and protists [4]. Microflora have been acquired since birth, within 24 hours after birth the neonatal surfaces will be colonized by microflora and it continues with the growth of the infant till reaching the climax community with the adulthood and stabilized in its main settlers, also known as ecological niches which are the skin, the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity, gastrointestinal and genital tract [5]. The normal microflora is widely varied between the individuals and the even in the same individual, depending on many effects such as gender, age, diet, medications, geographical location and health status [6].…”