(See also Overview of Bacteria Overview of Bacteria Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. They are among the earliest known life forms on earth. There are thousands of different kinds of bacteria, and they live in every conceivable... read more .)
There are more than 17 species of enterococci. Many species normally occupy the intestinal tract and do not usually cause disease. These bacteria, called resident flora Resident Flora Healthy people live in harmony with most of the microorganisms that establish themselves on or in (colonize) nonsterile parts of the body, such as the skin, nose, mouth, throat, large intestine... read more , cause disease only under certain circumstances—for example, when they enter other parts of the body.
Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the species that most commonly cause infections in people.
Enterococci typically cause the following:
Wound infections
Symptoms of enterococcal infections depend on the location of the infection.
Treatment of Enterococcal Infections
Antibiotics
Treatment depends on where the infection is, but doctors usually give antibiotics and drain any abscesses.
Certain strains of enterococci have become resistant to many antibiotics Antibiotic resistance Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. They are among the earliest known life forms on earth. There are thousands of different kinds of bacteria, and they live in every conceivable... read more and can be difficult to treat. Strains that are resistant to vancomycin are particularly problematic.
