Enterococcus faecalis

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Enterococcus faecalis

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

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 existence of enterococci in such a dual role is facilitated, at least in part, by its intrinsic and acquired resistance to virtually all antibiotics currently in use.

1 Pathogenesis
2 Historical
3 References
4 External link

[edit] Pathogenesis

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

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.

[edit] Historical

Prior to 1984, E. faecalis was known as Strepthococcus faecalis.^[2]

[edit] References

^ Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology, 4th ed., McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.
^ 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: 31–34.