Enterococci

• There are at least 12 species
• Enterococcus faecalis is most common ( 85-90 % of infection )
• Enterococcus faecium causes 5-10 %
• Enterococci are most frequent causes of nosocomial infections
• Most common sites of infections are urinary tract, wounds, biliary tract and blood
• Enterococci may cause meningitis and bacteremia in Neonates
• Enterococci cause endocarditis in adults
• Major problem is Enterococci are very resistant to antibiotics
• Enterococcus faecium is more resistant than Enterococcus faecalis
• Enterococci are intrinsically resistant to cephalosporin, penicillin and monobactam
• Aminoglycoside resistance is due to enterococcal aminoglycoside modifying enzymes
• Vancomycin resistant enterococci ( VRE ) are an important cause of nosocomial infections
• Enterococci show susceptibility to TMP-SMZ in vitro but drugs are not effective in treating
• Enterococcus faecalis produce β-lactamase that resist β-lactam