Microscopic Companions
In a 400-600 word answer, properly cited with an APA-formatted reference list and in-text citations, please answer the following questions. In addition to the researched facts you present as your answer, you may provide opinions and real-world experiences where appropriate.
Although much of this course is focused on microorganisms that are considered pathogens and have the potential to cause disease in humans, there are numerous microbes that are on our side or at least list side-by-side with us without causing trouble. There are many bacteria and fungi on or in our bodies that are beneficial or are necessary for good health.
- Summarize the benefit (or need) for “good” microorganisms in and on the body.
- Choose a part of the body that is normally colonized by “good” microorganisms (e.g.- skin, intestines, vagina, other). List examples of normal microbes and their relationship with the human body. What factors or specific pathogens could threaten this microbial population and how can a person prevent this?
- What specifically happens when the normal microbial population in this area is disrupted? Provide examples to illustrate your points. How can a patient restore this population to a normal state?
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm-uploads/documents/outreach/im/handout_probiotics_patient.pdf
Probiotics for healthy skin
http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatology/probiotics-healthy-skin
Fecal Transplantation for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365524/pdf/GH-08-191.pdf
1. Summarize the benefit (or need) for “good” microorganisms in and on the body.
Good microorganisms include bacteria that help humans digest food and viruses that help plants resist heat, and those can be important elements in food, medicine, agriculture, and other fields when used appropriately (Flournoy, 2018). As the most familiar example, bifidobacteria contained in yogurt and other foods have an intestinal regulation effect and are known as one of the good bacteria. Ingestion of bifidobacteria suppresses harmful intestinal bacteria, improves intestinal flora balance, reduces intestinal putrefactive products produced by harmful bacteria, and improves bowel movements (Harvard Health Publishing, 2017). Also, these microorganisms are used to artificially develop useful substances such as insulin and human growth hormones and play a significant role in the medical field (Flournoy, 2018).
2. Choose a part of the body that is normally colonized by “good” microorganisms (e.g.- skin, intestines, vagina, other). List examples of normal microbes and their relationship with the human body. What factors or specific pathogens could threaten this microbial population and how can a person prevent this
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria naturally found in your body, such as mouth, stomach, intestines, lungs, vagina, and urinary (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022). Lactobacillus acidophilus in the small intestine produces lactic acid, suppressing aging, intestinal putrefaction, and the growth of harmful bacteria that produce carcinogenic substances. It is also used as a medicine to improve diarrhea and vaginitis and to treat irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022). However, Lactobacillus acidophilus can cause infections in the lining of the liver and heart in immunocompromised people, such as people with HIV/AIDS and people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022). Antibiotics can kill the beneficial Lactobacillus acidophilus, and the Lactobacillus acidophilus present in the vagina has been found to decrease as estrogen levels decline after women reach menopause (Amabebe & Anumba, 2018).
3. What specifically happens when the normal microbial population in this area is disrupted? Provide examples to illustrate your points. How can a patient restore this population to a normal state?
Lactobacillus acidophilus keeps a woman's vagina weakly acidic and prevents the growth of various bacteria (Amabebe & Anumba, 2018). Still, the balance of the vaginal environment is disturbed due to multiple factors such as menstruation, stress, and aging, which can disrupt the vaginal environment, leading to various bacteria proliferating in the vagina, and vaginitis may develop. The pathogens that grow in bacterial vaginosis are carried from the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and pelvis and can cause endometritis, salpingitis, and pelvic peritonitis (Amabebe & Anumba, 2018). Studies have also shown that it increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and premature birth.
If Lactobacillus acidophilus has decreased due to accumulated stress and overwork, the population can be regained by removing the cause. In addition, if Lactobacillus acidophilus has reduced due to taking antibiotics, it can be taken through drugs prescribed by a doctor or supplements (Cleveland Clinic medical professional, 2022).
References
Amabebe, E., & Anumba, D. (2018). The Vaginal Microenvironment: The Physiologic Role of Lactobacilli. Frontiers in medicine, 5, 181. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2018.00181
Harvard Health Publishing. (2017). The benefits of probiotics bacteria. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-benefits-of-probiotics
Márquez, L. M., Redman, R. S., Rodriguez, R. J., & Roossinck, M. J. (2007). A virus in a fungus in a plant: three-way symbiosis required for thermal tolerance. Science (New York, N.Y.), 315(5811), 513–515. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1136237
Cleveland Clinic medical professional. (2022). Acidophilus (lactobacillus acidophilus): Uses, benefits & side effects. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22650-acidophilus#:~:text=Acidophilus%20may%20be%20used%20as,issues%2C%20yeast%20infections%20and%20eczema.
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