Enterococcus faecium in hospitals

  • J. J. Wade
Review

Abstract

Most of the characteristics that have ensured the success of enterococci as nosocomial pathogens were described early in this century.Enterococcus faecium andEnterococcus faecalis, the enterococci most frequently isolated from clinical material, differ fundamentally. The intrinsic antimicrobial resistance ofEnterococcus faecium, supplemented by acquired resistance mechanisms, can generate a glycopeptide-multiply-resistant nosocomial pathogen that survives on hands and in the environment, and has the potential for intra-hospital and inter-hospital spread. The use of terms such as ‘an enterococcus’, ‘faecal streptococci’ and ‘group D streptococci’ have hindered, and still hinder, our understanding of a species rapidly emerging as the most problematic of nosocomial pathogens.

Keywords

Internal Medicine Resistance Mechanism Antimicrobial Resistance Enterococcus Faecium Clinical Material 
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Copyright information

© MMV Medizin Verlag GmbH 1997

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. J. Wade
    • 1
  1. 1.Dulwich Public Health Laboratory & Medical MicrobiologyKing's College School of Medicine & DentistryLondonUK

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