comparative study of antimicrobial efficacy of panchavalkal kwatha and povidone iodine for surgical site preparation on the human skin flora

The skin flora of patients is one of the most important factors in pathogenesis of surgical site infection. There are two type of skin flora-

Resident flora-Represents the organisms that always present on the whole skin surface including those in the deeper parts of the skin such as the ducts of sebaceous and sweat gland follicles. Flora consist predominantly Staph. epidermis, micrococci,diphtheroids

Transient flora- Wider rang of organisms come in contact with the superficial aspect of skin from the environment, another person or from the persons own alimentary tract. Eg.Staphylococcus.aureus , E.coli ,Klebsiella

Microorganisms are found all over the skin surface but species vary with anatomical sites-

Dry Body sites mainly includes forearm,hands,leg and feet. Eg- coagulase negative staphy.epidermis and staphy.horminis.

Moist sites includes skin folds, beneath breast,elbow crease,in between the groin. These are mainly cornybacterium

Sebaceous sites includes head, neck, trunk area where oily substance sebum allows cutibacterium to thrive, some deodex mites and fungus Malasezzia also congregate in the oily.

area of faces

Microbes that exist on the skin are primarily gram positive.

Staphylococcus epidermis is found in 85%- 100% of normal skin.

Staphylococcus aureus is carried by 5%-25% of normal individuals.

Propionibacterium is normal flora in 45%-100%