enterokoki

Enterococci are a genus of Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria that are part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract. They are spherical or oval in shape and typically occur in pairs or short chains. The most common species found in humans are Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.

While generally harmless commensals, enterococci can become opportunistic pathogens, particularly in healthcare settings. They are a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, including urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, endocarditis, and wound infections. Factors that increase the risk of enterococcal infections include prolonged hospitalization, instrumentation (such as catheters), surgery, and underlying medical conditions like diabetes or immunosuppression.

Enterococci are known for their intrinsic resistance to certain antibiotics, such as cephalosporins. Furthermore, they possess a remarkable ability to acquire resistance genes, leading to strains resistant to multiple drugs, including vancomycin (VRE - Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci). This multidrug resistance poses a significant challenge for treatment, often requiring the use of last-resort antibiotics.

Diagnosis of enterococcal infections typically involves culturing samples from infected sites. Treatment depends on the specific species, the site of infection, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolate. Prevention strategies in healthcare settings focus on strict adherence to infection control practices, including hand hygiene and environmental disinfection, to limit the spread of these resilient bacteria.