Up to this point in time, why has the study of the microbiota of the skin has be

Question

Up to this point in time, why has the study of the microbiota of the skin has been limited? Hint – it has to do with the focus of medical research.

Introduction The first line of defense against bacterial infections are the skin and mucous membranes (found in the respiratory system). In humans, the skin has an average surface area of almost 2 m2 and has a variable thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.33 mm. The dry outer layer of the skin consists of numerous rows of dead epidermis called keratin. On the keratin layer perspiration and sebum (skin oil) form what is referred to as the acid mantle (so-called because of the range of pH which is from 4 to 5.5) The respiratory system contains a set of defenses. The cilia move unwanted particles up from the lower respiratory system to upper respiratory system to exit from the throat. That mechanism is called the ciliary escalator. Microorganisms that actually reach the lungs are destroyed by alveolar macrophages. Additionally, IgA antibodies are in the secretions of respiratory mucus, saliva, and tears. The system of microphages and antibodies are referred to as microbial antagonism In spite of the body's defenses, there are bacteria that thrive in these inhospitable environments. Today in lab, you will culture and attempt to identify microbes that you collect from yourselves in lab. Mannitol salt agar is a differential medium that will turn yellow when being fermented by staphylococci. One of the most abundant microbes found on human skin is Staphylococcus aureus. Today in lab, you will collect skin swabs and culture them on mannitol salt agar The catalase test can be used to differentiate staphylococci (produces catalase and bubbles in the prescen of hydrogen peroxide) and streptococci (which do not produce catalase). You will perform the catalase test in both procedures. Aseptically place a loopful of bacteria on a clean slide then apply one drop of hydrogen peroxide onto the bacteria. If bubbles are produced, then the organism is positive for the presence of catalase PROCEDURE: Microbial collection from the skin: 1. Aseptically open the tube containing the swab and push the swab against the wall of the tube to release excess saline. If there is too much saline, it may not pick up a good amount of microbiota on the skin. 2. Swab 1/3 of the mannitol salt agar plate with the swab 3. Using a sterile loop, streak the rest of the plate 4. Incubate for 24-48 hours. 5. Examine the colonies and record any pigment SWAB production. (On Report Page) Perform Catalase Test on one colony Perform a Gram stain of any colonies that have yellow halo. Record the Gram reaction (On Report Page). 6. 7. SECOND STREAK FIRST

Explanation / Answer

This is not true that microbiota research is limited.But previously it is believe that whatever we are growing in culture medium is equivalent to skin microbiota but it is not true.Growing evidence suggest that microbiota community is more diverse that whatever we believe.It might be possible that we are providing sutiable environment or method is not sufficient to grow them.

Following is few hints that can improve the sample processing

To understand to proper diease pathology related to skin microbiota,we should first umderunder to complete history of the patient.

2.there are several extra environment cues that can affect the skin microbiota ..

Using different extranal mediation and skin lotion also affect different type of microbiota and that can affect the sample.so it is important to collect the sample where these kind of lotionbis not used.

S it is clear that it is very toughbto work with skin microbiota because the varibility in microbiota due to different environment but reaserch is going.

I am also providibg one recent reference for more details.kong HH 2017

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