Clinically important: enterococcus faecalis and enterococcus faecium
Used be group D
Normal faecal flora
Also colonise oral mucous membranes and skin
Highly resistent to chemical/environmental agents
C-carbohydrate reacts with group D antisera -> used to be group D.
Now in its own group due to DNA analysis.
In normal healthy adults -> does not cause disease
In post-surgical/instrumentation etc. -> can cause:
Ability to survive in presence of bile
Hydrolyse the polysaccharide esculin
Grow in 6.5% NaCl
Yield positive pyrazin amidase (PYR) test.
All of the above distinguishes enterococcus with other non-D group strep.
Naturally resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics AND aminoglycosides.
But sensitive to synergistic action of these combined.
Acquired immunity to combination drugs are rising.
E. faecium more likely to be vancomycin or multiple resistant than E. faecalis
First line: ampicillin PLUS gentamicin
Second line: vancomycin
Other (vancomycin-resistant): linezolid OR [quinupristin PLUS dalfopristin]
No vaccine.
No lasting immunity.
Things to revise/add later:
Bibliography: LWW microbiology
| About | |
| Created | 20040329 |