fecalis

Fecalis refers to anything related to feces, or stool. The term is often used in a scientific or medical context to describe substances or organisms found in or derived from fecal matter. For example, fecal coliform bacteria, often referred to as fecalis, are a group of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and are used as indicators of fecal contamination in water sources.

The study of feces, known as coprology, is important in veterinary medicine and human medicine for diagnosing various health conditions. Fecal examinations can reveal the presence of parasites, bacteria, viruses, and other abnormalities that may indicate disease. Changes in stool color, consistency, or frequency can also be significant indicators of gastrointestinal health.

In microbiology, fecalis can also be used to denote species of bacteria that are typically found in feces. For instance, Enterococcus faecalis is a common bacterium found in the human gut and is part of the normal fecal flora. However, under certain conditions, it can become an opportunistic pathogen, causing infections. The presence of fecalis in non-fecal environments, such as in food or water, usually indicates a breach in hygiene or sanitation.