Enterococcus faecium: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
E. faecium is a human pathogen that causes nosocomial bacteremia, surgical wound infection, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections. Nosocomial infections are those acquired in medial setting during treatment of a prior complaint. The normal habitat includes the gastrointestinal tract of a multitude of animals but it can also be found in the oral cavity and vaginal tract.(3) The microbe can survive for long periods of time in soil, sewage, and inside hospitals on a variety of surfaces.(6) It can grow in temperatures ranging from 10 to 45 degrees Celsius, in basic or acidic environments, and in environments which are isotonic or hypertonic.(3) | E. faecium is a human pathogen that causes nosocomial bacteremia, surgical wound infection, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections. Nosocomial infections are those acquired in medial setting during treatment of a prior complaint. The normal habitat includes the gastrointestinal tract of a multitude of animals but it can also be found in the oral cavity and vaginal tract.(3) The microbe can survive for long periods of time in soil, sewage, and inside hospitals on a variety of surfaces.(6) It can grow in temperatures ranging from 10 to 45 degrees Celsius, in basic or acidic environments, and in environments which are isotonic or hypertonic.(3) | ||
E. faecium is a Gram-positive, spherical cell that can occur in pairs or chains. The colonies formed are 1-2 mm in length and appear wet. The cells are non-motile. (8) | E. faecium is a Gram-positive, spherical cell that can occur in pairs or chains. The colonies formed are 1-2 mm in length and appear wet. The cells are non-motile. (8) | ||
E. faecium is highly drug resistant and acquires its drug resistance by plasmids and conjugative transposons as well as chromosomal genes that encode resistance. Some strains have become resistant to vancomycin, penicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, erythromycin and teicoplanin. Spread of the disease occurs between patients in hospitals due to transfer of the pathogen by hands or medical instruments. Also antibiotic use can decrease the number of other intestinal bacteria that are susceptible to the antibiotic and decrease competition for the drug resistant E. faecium. (3) | E. faecium is highly drug resistant and acquires its drug resistance by plasmids and conjugative transposons as well as chromosomal genes that encode resistance. Some strains have become resistant to vancomycin, penicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, erythromycin and teicoplanin. Spread of the disease occurs between patients in hospitals due to transfer of the pathogen by hands or medical instruments. Also antibiotic use can decrease the number of other intestinal bacteria that are susceptible to the antibiotic and decrease competition for the drug resistant E. faecium. (3) | ||
E. faecium was known as Streptococcus faecium until its name changed in 1984 due to a re-categorization. (2) | E. faecium was known as Streptococcus faecium until its name changed in 1984 due to a re-categorization. (2) | ||
Revision as of 19:43, 4 June 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Enterococcus faecium
Classification
Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria; Phylum Firmicutes; Class: Bacilli; Order: Lactobacillales; Family: Enterococcus(1)
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Enterococcus faecium(2)
Description and significance
E. faecium is a human pathogen that causes nosocomial bacteremia, surgical wound infection, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections. Nosocomial infections are those acquired in medial setting during treatment of a prior complaint. The normal habitat includes the gastrointestinal tract of a multitude of animals but it can also be found in the oral cavity and vaginal tract.(3) The microbe can survive for long periods of time in soil, sewage, and inside hospitals on a variety of surfaces.(6) It can grow in temperatures ranging from 10 to 45 degrees Celsius, in basic or acidic environments, and in environments which are isotonic or hypertonic.(3)
E. faecium is a Gram-positive, spherical cell that can occur in pairs or chains. The colonies formed are 1-2 mm in length and appear wet. The cells are non-motile. (8)
E. faecium is highly drug resistant and acquires its drug resistance by plasmids and conjugative transposons as well as chromosomal genes that encode resistance. Some strains have become resistant to vancomycin, penicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, erythromycin and teicoplanin. Spread of the disease occurs between patients in hospitals due to transfer of the pathogen by hands or medical instruments. Also antibiotic use can decrease the number of other intestinal bacteria that are susceptible to the antibiotic and decrease competition for the drug resistant E. faecium. (3)
E. faecium was known as Streptococcus faecium until its name changed in 1984 due to a re-categorization. (2)
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
1. Skerman, V.B.D., McGowan, V., and Sneath, P.H.A. (editors): "Approved lists of bacterial names." Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. (1980) 30:225-420. Schleifer KH & Kilpper-Balz R (1984) 2. Schleifer, K.H., and Kilpper-Balz, R. "Transfer of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus faecium to the genus Enterococcus nom. rev. as Enterococcus faecalis comb. nov. and Enterococcus faecium comb. nov." Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. (1984) 34:31-34.
Edited by Morgan Feori
