PATHOGENIC

MICROORGANISMS
AND PARASITIC
HELMINTHS
Partosa, Nasil, Mariano, Comuelo, Maribojoc
TOPIC OUTLINE

Normal human microbial flora and microorganisms pathogenic to

A. man

B. Protozoan and helminthic diseases of man

 Definition of Terms
Gram negative bacteria – Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain the crystal
violet stain used in the Gram staining method of bacterial differentiation.

Gram positive bacteria – are bacteria classified by the color they turn in the staining method.

Helminths – a general term meaning worm.

Microbial Flora – a community of microorganisms that live in or on another living organism
or particular habitat.
Opportunistic Pathogens - can be thought of as organisms that are hanging around, awaiting
the opportunity to cause infections.
 Definition of Terms
Parasitic Helminths - parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large macroparasites;
adults can generally be seen with the naked eye.
Spirochetes – any of a group of spiral-shaped bacteria.
Symbiosis – one organism (form of life) having a close relationship with a different organism.
Symbionts – organisms that live together in such a relationship.
Transient Microbes - take up temporary residence on and within humans.
 INTRODUCTION
We are all aware that diseases are caused by pathogens,
an example of the many ways that microbes interact with
humans. Most relationships between humans and
microbes are beneficial rather than harmful. Although the
“bad guys” get most of the attention in the news media,
our microbial allies far outnumber our microbial enemies.

Microorganisms interact with humans in many ways and

at many levels. But, the most intimate association that we
have with microorganisms is their presence both on and
within our bodies.
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVING
MICROORGANISMS
Neutralism - a situation in which different
microorganisms occupy the same ecologic niche, but
have absolutely no effect on each other.
Example:
Commensalism - is a
symbiotic relationship that is
beneficial to one symbiont and
of no consequence (i.e., is
neither beneficial nor harmful)
to the other.
Mutualism - is a symbiotic relationship that is
beneficial to both symbionts.
Example:
Parasitism - is a symbiotic relationship that is
beneficial to one symbiont (the parasite) and
detrimental to the other symbiont (the host).
Example:
NORMAL HUMAN MICROBIAL FLORA

also called as indigenous

microflora/microbiota.
includes all of the microbes (bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, and viruses) that reside
on and within the human body.
Destruction of the resident microflora disturbs the
delicate balance established between the host and its
microorganisms. For example, prolonged therapy with
certain antibiotics often destroys many of the intestinal
microflora. Diarrhea is usually the result of such an
imbalance, which in turn leaves the body more
susceptible to secondary invaders. When the number of
usual resident microbes is greatly reduced,
opportunistic invaders can more easily establish
themselves within those areas.
Ex. Candida albicans
 Candidiasis in the tongue.

Candida albicansIt causes the disease called Candidiasis.

 MICROFLORA OF THE SKIN
The skin is the part of the human body that is in constant contact with the environment,
making it the most exposed to microorganisms.

The skin consists primarily of bacteria and fungi, as many as 300 different species,
depending on the anatomical position. The number of different types of microbes varies
greatly from body part to body part and from person to person.

Most bacteria that live in the human skin are anaerobes, outnumbering the aerobes.
Anaerobes live in the deeper layers of skin, hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous glands.

The most common bacteria found on the skin are the species of Staphylococcus (especially S.
epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococcia), Corynebacterium, and
Propionibacterium.
 MICROFLORA OF THE SKIN

The factors affecting the growth and variety of such organisms are:

Anatomical Position
Moisture
pH
Temperature
Salinity
Presence of chemical wastes
Presence of other microbes
 MICROFLORA OF THE EARS AND EYES

The middle ear and inner ear are usually sterile, whereas the outer ear and the auditory
canal contain the same types of microorganisms as are found on the skin. When a person
coughs, sneezes, or blows his or her nose, these microbes may be carried along the eustachian
tube and into the middle ear where they can cause infection. Infection can also develop in the
middle ear when the eustachian tube does not open and close properly to maintain correct
air pressure within the ear.
The external surface of the eye is lubricated, cleansed, and protected by tears, mucus, and
sebum. Thus, continual production of tears and the presence of the enzyme lysozyme and
other antimicrobial substances found in tears greatly reduce the numbers of indigenous
microflora organisms found on the eye surfaces.
MICROFLORA OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

The nasal passages and throat have an abundant and varied population of
microorganisms, because these areas provide moist, warm mucous membranes
that furnish excellent conditions for microbial growth.
Many organisms found in found in the healthy nose and throat are harmless.
Others are opportunistic pathogens which have the potential to cause disease
under certain circumstances.
Some people – known as healthy carriers – harbor virulent (disease causing)
pathogens in their nasal passages or throats, but do not have the diseases
associated with them, such as diphtheria, meningitis, pneumonia and whooping
cough.
The lower respiratory tract is usually free of microbes because the mucous
membranes and lungs have defense mechanisms.
 MICROFLORA OF THE ORAL
CAVITY
Oral cavity hosts diverse microbiota, comprising over 700 species of bacteria, fungi, viruses,
and protozoa.
Habitat for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, with anaerobic thriving in areas like gum
margins, tooth crevices, and tonsil crypts.
Abundant nutrients in food particles and dead epithelial cells around teeth promote bacterial
growth.
Poor dental hygiene fosters bacterial growth, leading to dental caries, gingivitis, and severe
periodontal diseases.
Factors such as drug use, host lifestyle, environment, and host status influence disease
susceptibility.
They affect the composition, structure, and metabolic functions of oral microorganisms.
MICROFLORA OF THE ORAL
CAVITY
The oral microbiota in healthy individuals comprises a
diverse range of microbes, including Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria (cocci and bacilli), spirochetes,
yeasts, mold-like organisms, protozoa, and viruses.
Common bacterial genera include Actinomyces,
Bacteroides, Borrelia, Corynebacterium,
Fusobacterium, Haemophilus, Lactobacillus, Neisseria,
Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Propionibacterium,
Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Treponema, and
Veillonella. Among these, alpha-hemolytic streptococci
are the most prevalent, with Streptococcus mutans frequently
associated with plaque formation.
 MICROFLORA OF THE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GI tract consists of esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and
anus.
Gastric enzymes and acidic pH (pH 1.5)prevent growth of indigenous microflora in
the stomach.
Helicobacter pylori is a common stomach bacterium associated with ulcers.
Small intestine's upper portion (duodenum) has few microflora due to bile
inhibition, but the lower parts (jejunum, ileum) harbor many.
Colon contains the most diverse microorganisms, estimated at 500 to 600 species,
primarily bacteria.
Colon bacteria are obligate, aerotolerant, and facultative anaerobes due to its
anaerobic environment.
 MICROFLORA OF THE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Common bacteria in the GI tract include Actinomyces, Bacteroides, Clostridium,
Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Proteus,
Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus.
Colon also hosts fungi, protozoa, and viruses, with opportunistic microflora
causing disease when balance is upset.
E. coli is an example, usually harmless in the colon but can cause UTIs when
accessing other areas like the urinary bladder.
About 50% of fecal mass consists of bacteria, which are removed from the GI tract
through defecation.
Beneficial Effects of Normal Human Microbial
Flora
Humans derive many benefits from their indigenous
microflora, some of which have already been mentioned.
Some nutrients, particularly vitamins K and B12, pantothenic
acid, pyridoxine, and biotin, are obtained from secretions of
certain intestinal bacteria.
Indigenous microbes provide a constant source of irritants and
antigens to stimulate the immune system.
The mere presence of large numbers of microorganisms at
certain anatomic locations is beneficial, in that they prevent
pathogens from colonizing those locations.
COMMON PATHOGENIC
MICROORGANISMS
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

1. Helicobacter pylori
Location: Stomach
Description: Causes ulcers in
the stomach
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

2. Escherichia coli
Location: GI Tract, Urinary
Bladder
Description: Can cause
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
and gastrointestinal infections
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

3. Streptococcus pnuemoniae
Location: Respiratory tract
Description: Common cause
of pnuemonia, meningitis, and
other respiratory infections
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

4. Staphylococcus aerus
Location: Skin, respiratory
tract, bloodstream
Description: Causes skin
infections, respiratory
infections, and bloodstream
infections
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

5. Salmonella spp.
Location: GI Tract
Description: Causes food
poisoning and gastroentritis
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

6. Clostridium difficile
Location: GI Tract
Description: Causes severe
diarrhea and colitis, often
associated with ambiotic use
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

7. Candida albicans
Location: Skin, Mucuous
Membranes
Description: Causes fungal
infections such as thrush and
vaginal yeast infection
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

8. Human Immunodeficiency Virus

(HIV)
Location: Bloodstream, immune
system
Description: Causes AIDS, com
-prises immune system
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

9. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Location: Lungs
Description: Causes tuber
-culosis, a respiratory infection
 COMMON PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

10. Vibrio cholerae

Location: GI Tract
Description: Causes cholera,
a severe diarrheal disease
Protozoan and Helminthic
Diseases of Man
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

2. Toxoplasmosis
Causative Agent: Toxoplasma gondii
Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated
food/water, congenital
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic. Flu-like,
lymph node swelling
Treatment: Antiparasitic medications
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

1. Chagas Disease (American

Trypanosomiasis)
Causative Agent: Trypanosoma cruzi
Transmission: Triatomine bug bites, blood
transfusion, congenital
Symptoms: Acute: Fever, swelling. Chronic: Heart,
digestive complications, swelling at the
infection site, fatigue, body aches, rash and
nausea.
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

3. Malaria
Causative Agent: Plasmodium species
Transmission: Anopheles mosquito bites
Symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, anemia
Treatment: Antimalarial drugs
Prevention: Mosquito nets, insect repellents
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

4. Leishmaniasis
Causative Agent: Leishmania species
Transmission: Sandfly bites
Symptoms: Skin ulcers, fever, spleen/liver
enlargement
Treatment: Antiparasitic drugs
Prevention: Insect repellents, protective
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

5. Cryptosporidiosis
Causative Agent: Cryptosporidium species
Transmission: Contaminated water, food,
feces
Symptoms: Diarrhea, stomach cramps,
nausea
Treatment: Supportive care, hydration
 PROTOZOAN DISEASES OF MAN

6. Babesiosis
Causative Agent: Babesia species
Transmission: Tick bites
Symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, anemia
Treatment: Antiparasitic drugs
Prevention: Tick avoidance, protective
clothing
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

1. Ascariasis
Causative Agent: Ascaris lumbricoides
(Roundworm)
Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated
food/water
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea,
malnutrition
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

2. Trichuriasis (Whipworm
Infection)
Causative Agent: Trichuris trichiura
(Whipworm)
Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated
soil
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloody
diarrhea, anemia
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

3. Enterobiasis (Pinworm
Infection)
Causative Agent: Enterobius vermicularis
(Pinworm)
Transmission: Ingestion of pinworm eggs
Symptoms: Anal itching, insomnia
Treatment: Anthelmintic medications
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

4. Hookworm Infection
Causative Agent: Ancylostoma duodenale,
Necator americanus (Hookworms)
Transmission: Skin penetration by larvae in
soil
Symptoms: Anemia, abdominal pain, fatigue
Treatment: Anthelmintic medications
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

5. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)
Causative Agent: Schistosoma species
(Blood flukes)
Transmission: Contact with contaminated
freshwater
Symptoms: Fever, abdominal pain,
liver/spleen enlargement
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

6. Fascioliasis
Causative Agent: Fasciola hepatica (Liver
fluke)
Transmission: Consumption of contaminated
watercress
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, liver
enlargement
HELMINTHIC DISEASES OF MAN

6. Taeniasis/Cysticercosis (Tapeworm
Infection)
Causative Agent: Taenia solium (Pork
tapeworm), Taenia saginata (Beef
tapeworm)
Transmission: Ingestion of undercooked
pork/beef
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, nausea,
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