Enterococcus

Question 1

enterococci are catalase + or -?

Answer 1

negative

Question 2

where do we find enterococcus?

Answer 2

in human colon and urethra

Question 3

why is enterococcus very hard to fight?

Answer 3

it is very resistant to antibiotics

Question 4

What will distinguish enteorcoccus from Streptococci?

Answer 4

enterococci will:

• Grow in presence of 6.5%NaCl *
• Hydrolyzes in bile

Question 5

what 2 species exist of enterococci?

Answer 5

1. E. faeciu
2. E. faecalis

Question 6

what will predispose to enteroccocus infection?

Answer 6

• prolonged hospitalization
• presence of urinary or intravascular catheters
• receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics *
• UTI
• Peritonitis
• subacute endocarditis

**very important factor: suppression of normal gut flora allows resistnat enterococcal bowel flora to outgrow

Question 7

UTI with enterococci will be seen with patients that are what?

Answer 7

Hospitalized pts with catheter on broad-spectrum antibiotics *

Question 8

what drugs will enterococci be resistant to?

Answer 8

Resistance to aminoglycosides and penicillin/ampicillin

Question 9

what drugs can be used for multi-drug resistant strains?

Answer 9

Linezolid

Quinupristin/daflopristin

Selected fluoroquinolones

Question 10

what hemolysis is seen with enterococci?

Answer 10

gamma hemolysis