Definition of Enterococcus

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Enterococcus: Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.

Enterococci are among the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The first vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) was found in 1986. Since that time, VRE has become a growing problem. Bacteria resistant to vancomycin are commonly also resistant to a similar antibiotic called teicoplanin, and vice versa.