II. Types: Non-Enterococcus
- Organisms
- Streptococcus equinus
- Streptococcus bovis
- Frequently found in patients with Colon Cancer
- Characteristics
- Gram-positive facultative anaerobic cocci
- Infections
- These organisms colonize the human GI Tract as normal flora (similar to Enterococcus)
- Like enterococci, these are hardy organisms that can survive in the harsh GI Tract, including 40% bile
- Cause similar infections to Enterococcus (including Bacterial Endocarditis)
- Extracellular Dextran allows binding to Heart Valves (Streptococcus Viridans, Group D Strep, Enterococcus)
III. Types: Enterococcus
- See Enterococcus
- See Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
- Background
- Enterococcus was classified under Streptococcus until 1984, and is now its own genus
- Enterococcus was reclassified under its own genus as of 1984 following DNA analysis
- Characteristics
- Lactic AcidBacteria
- Gram-positive facultative anaerobic cocci
- Organisms
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Enterococcus faecium
- Infections
- Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
- Enterococcus is a colonizer, normal flora of the human Gastrointestinal Tract
- Enterococci are hardy organisms that can survive in the harsh GI Tract, including 40% bile
- Infections typically occur in Immunocompromised or debilitated hospital patients
IV. References
- Gladwin, Trattler and Mahan (2014) Clinical Microbiology, Medmaster, Fl, p. 31-2