Enterococcus faecalis
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Current revision
Enterococcus faecalis
Enterococcus faecalis – formerly classified as part of the Group D Streptococcus system – is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium inhabiting the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals. It is among the main constituents of some probiotic food supplements.
[edit] Surface Characteristics
The cell surface contains Glycerol teichoic acid-like molecules with a carbohydrate backbone structure of 6-α-D-glucose- 1-->2 glycerol-3-PO4 with substitution on carbon 2 of the glucose with an α-2-1-D-glucose residue.
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
A commensal organism like other species in the genus Enterococcus, E. faecalis can cause life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial (hospital) environment, where the naturally high levels of antibiotic resistance found in E. faecalis contribute to its pathogenicity. It is the cause of endocarditis, as well as bladder, prostate, and epididymal infections.
