For this reason,E.
faecalisis considered an opportunistic pathogen.
Out of all the enterococci species, itis the most common cause of urinary tract infections.
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This article explains the causes and symptoms ofenterococcus faecalisinfections, as well as how these infections are treated.
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What Is Enterococcus Faecalis?
If these infections become systemic (widespread), they can cause serious to life-threatening symptoms.
Enterococcus faecalisis a tenacious species of bacteria that is growing increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
These biofilms are especially resistant to antibiotic therapy.
What Causes Enterococcus Faecalis?
Approximately 85% to 90% of Enterococci infections are caused byE.
faecalis,and are typically nosocomial (originating in a hospital).Common causes of infections caused byE.
faecalisinclude improper hand hygiene, growth on medical equipment, and contaminated food or water.
Improper Hand Hygiene
Studies of hospital-acquired infections ofE.
faecalishave traditionally shown transmission due to improper hand hygiene practices by healthcare workers.
This is a significant cause ofE.
Inadequate handwashing can also contribute to contamination of hospital equipment or surfaces.
Even when properly sterilized before placement, they can become infected through bacteremia after they are in the body.
Biofilms have a dense 3D extracellular matrix which can be difficult to remove from surfaces.
This increases their resistance to antibiotics, which can cause life-threatening infections in the body.
Contaminated Foods and Liquids
E. faecalisis commonly found in soil, water, plants, and animals.
Eating unwashed foods can increase the risk of infection.
Symptoms and Types of Infections
Common infections caused byE.
faecalisinclude UTIs, bacteremia, and endocarditis.
faecalisinfections vary depending on the punch in of infection you have.
They can be resulting from various species of bacteria, includingE.
UTIs triggered by Enterococcus species account for greater than 30% of all cases in hospitalized patients.
Common symptoms of UTIs include:
Who’s More Susceptible to UTIs?
faecalisendocarditis typically occurs as a complication of bacteremia, where bacteria in the bloodstream travels to the heart.
Common symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly or suddenly.
They include:
Endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal condition.
If you experience symptoms of endocarditis, seek immediate medical attention.
How Is Enterococcus Faecalis Diagnosed?
If your healthcare provider suspects that you have an infection caused byE.
faecalis, bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests will be ordered.
In the laboratory, methods will be used to see if bacteria grow from the samples.
Those samples will be tested to see what antibiotics will or won’t work to treat the infection.
Can Enterococcus Faecalis Be Cured?
Ampicillin, anantibiotic, is commonly used to treatE.
faecalisinfections.Ampicillin blocks the formation of the external cell wall ofE.
faecalis, causing them to die.
For severe infections, such as endocarditis, combination antibiotics are used to increase their potency.
Toilets and bed rails should be disinfected with a bleach solution.
faecalishas the potential to become pathogenic (disease-causing) in people who are immunocompromised.
E. faecalisinfections are typically nosocomial (hospital-acquired).
faecalisinfections include urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacteremia, and endocarditis.
If these infections become systemic, they can cause serious to life-threatening symptoms.
It can be very difficult to treatE.
faecalisinfections due to their resistance to several antibiotics.
For severe infections, such as endocarditis, combination antibiotics are used.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; 2014.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About hand hygiene for patients in healthcare prefs.
National Organization for Rare Diseases.Infective endocarditis.
Kristich CJ, Rice LB, Arias CA.Enterococcal InfectionTreatment and Antibiotic Resistance.Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; 2014.
New York State Department of Health.Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).
