Indigenous microflora and innate immunity of the head and neck

Mark W Hull; Anthony W Chow

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.015

Indigenous microflora and innate immunity of the head and neck

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2007 Jun;21(2):265-82, v. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.015.

Authors

Mark W Hull¹, Anthony W Chow

Affiliation

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

PMID: 17561071
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.015

Abstract

The normal flora of the head and neck exists in a delicate balance within tightly regulated ecologic niches, counterbalanced by a highly efficient innate immune system of the host. Invasion by the normal oral flora is rare when mucosal defenses remain intact. An understanding of the indigenous microflora and the innate mucosal defense mechanisms is necessary for an appropriate evaluation of infections and therapies in this area.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Infections / immunology
Bacterial Infections / microbiology
Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
Head / microbiology*
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Mouth / immunology
Mouth / microbiology
Neck / microbiology*
Paranasal Sinuses / immunology
Paranasal Sinuses / microbiology
Pharynx / immunology
Pharynx / microbiology
Trachea / immunology
Trachea / microbiology