Mouth, normal flora

I Bite-wound infections generally are polymicrobial. On average, five different bacterial species can be isolated from an infected animal bite wound.3 Both the normal flora of the biter s mouth and that of the bite recipient s skin can be implicated. The bacteriology of the cat and dog mouth is quite similar. Pasteurella multocida, a gram-negative aerobe, is one of the predominant pathogens, isolated in up to 50% of dog and 75% of cat bites. S. viridans are the most frequently cultured bacteria from human bite wounds.3,43 Table 70-10 provides a comprehensive list of cat, dog, and human bite-wound pathogens. 

Fungi, such as Candida spp. (yeast), are normal flora of mouth, skin, intestine, and vagina. Candidiasis might be an opportunistic infection when the defense mechanisms are impaired. Antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and immunosuppressives may alter the body s defense mechanisms. Infections can be mild (vaginal yeast infection) or severe (systemic fungal infection). 

Can be an opportunistic pathogen but is part of the normal flora of the skin and mouth. 

Part of the normal flora of the nose, mouth, and intestines. May cause lesions in various parts of the body, pneumonia, chronic lung abscess, sinusitis, and upper respiratory infections. 

For perhaps a last word, it is said that amygdahn or laetrile will release cyanide in the stomach by the action of the enzyme P glucosidase, also called emulsin (Smith, in Amdiu et al., 1991, p. 277). Not found in mammalian tissues, such enzymes occur in normal human intestinal flora, or gut flora. For this reason, amygdalin is about 40 times more toxic by mouth than by intravenous injection. Thus amygdalin or laetrile could be given safely by parenteral routes. (The term parenteral signifies routes other than oral administration.)... 

Common Sites of Invasion Anaerobes colonize the mouth, gastrointestinal tract and skin of all persons. Infections develop when anaerobes penetrate poorly oxygenated tissues (e.g., the diabetic foot) or tissues that are normally sterile (e.g., peritoneum). When broad spectrum antibiotics diminish normal bowel flora, C. difficile proliferates and releases a toxin that causes pseudomembranous colitis. 

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