The Enterococcus: a model of adaptability to its environment Articles uri icon

publication date

  • March 2019

start page

  • e00058-18

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 32

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0893-8512

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1098-6618

abstract

  • The genus Enterococcus comprises a ubiquitous group of Gram-positive bacteria that are of great relevance to human health for their role as major causative agents of health care-associated infections. The enterococci are resilient and versatile species able to survive under harsh conditions, making them well adapted to the health care environment. Two species cause the majority of enterococcal infections: Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Both species demonstrate intrinsic resistance to common antibiotics, such as virtually all cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Additionally, a remarkably plastic genome allows these two species to readily acquire resistance to further antibiotics, such as high-level aminoglycoside resistance, high-level ampicillin resistance, and vancomycin resistance, either through mutation or by horizontal transfer of genetic elements conferring resistance determinants.

subjects

  • Biology and Biomedicine
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy

keywords

  • enterococcus; antibiotic resistance; horizontal gene transfer