Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecalis
	Enterococcus faecalis as viewed through a scanning electron microscope; Enterococcus faecalis as viewed through a scanning electron microscope
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Bacteria;
Phylum:	Firmicutes;
Class:	Bacilli;
Order:	Lactobacillales;
Family:	Enterococcaceae;
Genus:	Enterococcus;
Species:	E. faecalis;
Binomial name
	Enterococcus faecalis; (Orla-Jensen 1919); Schleifer & Kilpper-Bälz 1984

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium inhabiting the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals.^[1] Like other species in the genus Enterococcus, E. faecalis can cause life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial (hospital) environment: the naturally high levels of antibiotic resistance found in E. faecalis contribute to its pathogenicity.^[1]

Pathogenesis

E. faecalis can cause endocarditis, as well as bladder, prostate, and epididymal infections; nervous system infections are less common.^[1]^[2]

E. faecalis is resistant to many commonly used antimicrobial agents (aminoglycosides, aztreonam, cephalosporins, clindamycin, the semi-synthetic penicillins nafcillin and oxacillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Exposure to cephalosporins is a particularly important risk factor for colonization and infection with enterococci.

Historical

Prior to 1984, enterococci were members of the genus Streptococcus: thus E. faecalis was known as Streptococcus faecalis.^[3]

Treatment

Antimicrobial Regimen

Enterococcus faecalis

Bacteremia, catheter-related infection

Preferred regimen:

Endocarditis

Preferred regimen:

Meningitis

Preferred regimen:

Urinary tract infection, intra-abdominal infection, wound infection

Preferred regimen:

Gallery

SEM depicts a small group of Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[4]
Enterococcus faecalis cultured on an agar plate, testing for drug sensitivity in an anaerobic environment. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[4]
SEM depicts Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis sp. bacteria. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[4]
Quantitative difference in hemolytic reactivity seen on BAP with group-D Streptococci (left wedge), group-B Streptococci (middle wedge), and group-A Streptococci (right wedge) bacteria. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). ^[4]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 294&ndash, 5. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.
↑ Pelletier LL (1996). Microbiology of the Circulatory System. in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.) (4th ed. ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.CS1 maint: Extra text (link)
↑ Schleifer KH; Kilpper-Balz R (1984). "Transfer of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium to the genus Enterococcus nom. rev. as Enterococcus faecalis comb. nov. and Enterococcus faecium comb. nov". Int. J. Sys. Bacteriol. 34: 31&ndash, 34.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 "Public Health Image Library (PHIL)".

External links

Enterococcus from the Bug Index at U. of Florida

[Sherris-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 294&ndash, 5. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.

[Baron-2] Pelletier LL (1996). Microbiology of the Circulatory System. in: Baron's Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.) (4th ed. ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.CS1 maint: Extra text (link)

[Schleifer_1984-3] Schleifer KH; Kilpper-Balz R (1984). "Transfer of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium to the genus Enterococcus nom. rev. as Enterococcus faecalis comb. nov. and Enterococcus faecium comb. nov". Int. J. Sys. Bacteriol. 34: 31&ndash, 34.

[PHIL-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 "Public Health Image Library (PHIL)".

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