Enterococcus
Sign in to saveEnterococcus is a large genus of lactic acid bacteria of the phylum Bacillota. Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci that often occur in pairs (diplococci) or short chains, and are difficult to distinguish from streptococci on physical characteristics alone. Two species are common commensal organisms in the intestines of humans: E. faecalis (90–95%) and E. faecium (5–10%). Rare clusters of infections occur with other species, including E. durans, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum, and E. raffinosus.
Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomBacteria
- PhylumFirmicutes
- ClassBacilli
- OrderLactobacillales
- FamilyEnterococcaceae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Enterococcaceae
- Image
- Entercoccus sp2 lores.jpg
Show 4 more facts
via Wikidata · CC0
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Physiology and classification
- History
- Evolution
- Pathology
- Meningitis
- Bloodstream infections
- Antibacterial resistance
- Water quality
- References
- External links
Enterococcus is a large genus of lactic acid bacteria of the phylum Bacillota. Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci that often occur in pairs (diplococci) or short chains, and are difficult to distinguish from streptococci on physical characteristics alone. Two species are common commensal organisms in the intestines of humans: E. faecalis (90–95%) and E. faecium (5–10%). Rare clusters of infections occur with other species, including E. durans, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum, and E. raffinosus.
== Physiology and classification == Enterococci are facultative anaerobic organisms, i.e., they are capable of cellular respiration in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments. Though they are not capable of forming spores, enterococci are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions: extreme temperature (10–45 °C), pH (4.6–9.9), and high sodium chloride concentrations.