Enterococci

Question 1

List the two major species of Enterococcus causing infection in humans.

Answer 1

E. faecalis

E. faecium

Question 2

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) are caused by ______________.

Answer 2

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) are caused by Enterococcus faecalis

Question 3

Vancomycin resistance is most often observed in ___________, but infection by ___________ is more common overall.

Answer 3

Vancomycin resistance is most often observed in E. faecium, but E. faecalis is more common overall.

Question 4

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are increasing incidence in the hospital especially _________ or ________ patients.

Answer 4

ICU, chemotherapy

Question 5

Name the 3 vancomycin resistance phenotypes.

Answer 5

Van A Genes
Van B Genes
Van C Genes

Question 6

How do the vancomycin resistant phenotypes differ?

Answer 6

Van A genes: plasmid-mediated, hi-level resistance; VRE

Van B genes: plasmid-mediated, hi or low level resistance; VRE

Van C: chromosomal; intrinsic resistance; not VRE

Question 7

Organisms with _________ genes are NOT VRE because vancomycin resistance is already an intrinsic property of the microbe and not developed by exposure to antibiotics.

Answer 7

Van C

Question 8

Name the 2 organisms with Van C genes

Answer 8

E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus

Question 9

Name the 5 major infections of Enterococci:

Answer 9

Infections of the biliary tree

Mixed bacterial wound infections and decubitus ulcers

Sepsis

Endocarditis

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Question 10

Enterococci are _________ in the presence of bile.

Answer 10

insoluble