The enterococci are hardy commensals of the gut. Types include Streptococcus faecalis, faecium, bovis and duran. All belong to Group D, are bile tolerant and grow on MacConkey's medium.
They are low grade pathogens and rarely cause disease. However, they may cause urinary tract infection in catheterised patients; mixed abdominal wound infections following gut surgery; and endocarditis on abnormal valves.
They are difficult to kill. Penicillin or amoxycillin inhibits growth. Addition of an aminoglycoside enables the organism to be killed, which is most important in endocarditis.
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