Human Microflora and Microbiomes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human microbiome composition, microbial relationships, biofilms, and dysbiosis based on the lecture by Цветков А. В.

Normal human microflora

A collection of many microbiocenoses characterized by certain relationships and habitats.

Microbiocenosis

A community of microorganisms that exists as a single entity, connected by food chains and microecology.

Resident microflora

Permanent flora characteristic of a given species, adapted to specific anatomical sites (biotopes), and able to restore quickly after elimination.

Transient microflora

Microorganisms temporarily present and not characteristic of a given biotope; they do not renew quickly and can be replaced by other flora.

Symbiosis

The long-term coexistence of microorganisms in long-lived communities.

Mutualism

A mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between organisms.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis in which only one partner benefits without causing visible harm to the other.

Metabiosis

A relationship where some microorganisms utilize the waste products of others; for example, nitrifying bacteria using ammonia produced by ammonifying bacteria.

Satelliteism

A condition where certain microorganisms secrete metabolites that stimulate the growth of other microorganisms.

Antagonism

Situations in which one microorganism inhibits the development of another, reflecting evolutionary forms of microbial competition for survival.

Biofilm

A highly organized community of microorganisms, often complex and 3D, encased in a self-produced slimy matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) adhering to surfaces.

Quorum sensing

The phenomenon of bacterial social behavior that allows bacteria in a biofilm to interact with each other.

Extracellular matrix composition

In a biofilm, bacteria make up $5-35\%$ of the mass, while the remaining portion is the extracellular matrix.

Biofilm Resistance

Bacteria in a biofilm can be up to $1,000$ times more resistant to antibiotics than free-floating (planktonic) cells.

Bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium)

A genus of Gram+ anaerobic, slightly curved non-spore-forming rods that make up $80-90\%$ of intestinal flora in breastfed infants.

Blaurock environment

The differential diagnostic environment used for the growth of Bifidobacteria.

Lactobacilli (Lactobacillus)

Lactic acid bacteria that convert lactose and other carbohydrates into lactic acid, creating an acidic environment that inhibits pathogens.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Gram- rods, strict aerobes, and oxidase-positive organisms that produce the soluble blue-green pigment pyocyanin.

Pyocyanin

A soluble pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that appears blue-green in an alkaline environment.

CPH-agar

A selective medium for Pseudomonas aeruginosa consisting of nutrient agar with cetylperidinium chloride.

Clostridium difficile

A normal intestinal inhabitant with multiple antibiotic resistance that produces enterotoxin (toxin A) and cytotoxin (toxin B), leading to pseudomembranous colitis.

Pseudomembranous colitis

A severe hospital infection caused by the action of Clostridium difficile toxins.

Skin microflora density

Healthy skin typically hosts approximately $80,000$ microorganisms per $1\,cm^2$.

Leptotrichia

A lactic acid bacterium found in the oral cavity appearing as long filaments of varying thickness.

Oral Dysbacteriosis (Stage 4)

The final stage of oral dysbiosis characterized by the active multiplication of yeast-like fungi.

Dysbiosis (Dysbacteriosis)

A change in the qualitative and/or quantitative composition of normal microflora, potentially involving bacterial translocation to non-native biotopes.

Eubiotics

Preparations containing live cultures of normal intestinal inhabitants, such as bifidumbacterin and lactobacterin.

Probiotics

Drugs that stimulate the development of normal microflora.

Eumicrobiosis

A state of dynamic equilibrium between the host organism, its inhabiting microorganisms, and the environment at an optimal health level.