Staphylococci normal flora

Tetracyclines modify the normal flora, with suppression of susceptible coliform organisms and overgrowth of pseudomonas, proteus, staphylococci, resistant conforms, Clostridia, and Candida. This can result in intestinal functional disturbances, anal pruritus, vaginal or oral candidiasis, or enterocolitis with shock and death. 

Cultures should not be collected from open, draining skin pustules because they may be colonized with staphylococci and other normal skin flora. 

Atopic dermatitis affects approximately 10-20% of the population. Clinical studies have shown that the skin flora of atopies is quantitatively and qualitatively different from the skin of the normal population [25]. It has been reported that these patients have increased numbers of skin flora and a higher frequency of colonization with S. aureus, not only on their skin, but also in their nares [26]. Due to the chronic presence of this organism, it is not surprising that patients with atopic dermatitis experience increased numbers of skin infections. In experimental staphylococcal infections, there is a direct relationship between the numbers of staphylococci applied to normal skin and the likelihood that infection will occur [17]. Many normal daily activities that result in minor cuts and scrapes have the potential to become contaminated with these transferred S. aureus and other organisms from environmental sources. 

E Brown, RP Wenzel, JO Hendly. Exploration of the microbial anatomy of normal human skin by using plasmid profiles of coagulase-negative staphylococci search for the reservoir of resident skin flora. J Infect Dis 160(4) 644-650, 1989. 

Sea water is a diluted suspension of bacteria, many of which are harmful to man and cause various infections (external otitis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia). Wounds occurring in the marine environment from any cause may therefore evolve very easily into infection. The micro-organisms isolated from infected wounds include bacteria present in sea water (vibrioni, Entero-bacter, Escherichia coli, pseudomonasy Achromobacter xylosoxidansy Acinetobacter calcoaceticus) and normal skin flora (staphylococci, streptococci). The treatment of wounds infected by marine micro-organisms includes debridement of necrotic tissue, removal of... 

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