Bacteria and the gastrointestinal tract: beneficial and harmful effects.
Bacteria are unique microorganisms that have a variety of physiological functions which are beneficial to human beings. However, bacteria can also be harmful and cause infections if translocated from the gastrointestinal tract to the epithelial tissue following surgery. The process of translocation can lead to surgical wounds becoming contaminated with gastrointestinal microbes such as Escherichia coli, Proteus or Klebsiella species. Bacteria can also cause severe gastrointestinal infections as a consequence of the ingestion of contaminated food. Food-borne bacterial infections can lead to serious consequences for the patient. Nurses managing the care of surgical patients and older people need to be aware of the physiological role that bacteria play but also the detrimental effects of bacterial translocation or ingestion particularly in older people, infants and people who are immunosuppressed.
The School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, Archway Campus, London.
Maggi
M
Banning
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000502:physiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014871:Water Microbiology