Penetration of microorganisms through the skin

Summary

Factors protecting the skin from microbic penetration are clearly seen on the example of several groups of large mice where the percentage of survival ranges from 70 to 100%; the mortality rate rises only with scarification of the skin and overheating of the body. The protective properties of the skin in smaller mice decreases sharphy and the percentage of the animals surviving drops to 7–11. The above factors showed their maximal protective properties with regard toSalm. typhimurium. Although this microbe was highly pathogenic when administered to mice per os, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally, it was unable to penetrate through the skin.

Histological investigations demonstrated that uninjured epithelium possesses powerful protective properties against microorganisms, which are able to penetrate under it only when it is desquamated or through the hair and sebaceous follicles.

With the microbes penetrated into the mice skin the immunological reactions are the most intense during the first 24 hours and even during the first few hours after infection.