Enterococci and their interactions with the intestinal microbiome Journal Article


Authors: Dubin, K.; Pamer, E. G.
Article Title: Enterococci and their interactions with the intestinal microbiome
Abstract: The Enterococcus genus comprises over 50 species that live as commensal bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Named "entero" to emphasize their intestinal habitat, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were first isolated in the early 1900s and are the most abundant species of this genus found in the human fecal microbiota. In the past 3 decades, enterococci have developed increased resistance to several classes of antibiotics and emerged as a prevalent causative agent of health care-related infections. In U.S. hospitals, antibiotic use has increased the transmission of multidrug-resistant enterococci. Antibiotic treatment depletes broad communities of commensal microbes from the GI tract, allowing resistant enterococci to densely colonize the gut. The reestablishment of a diverse intestinal microbiota is an emerging approach to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the GI tract. Because enterococci exist as commensals, modifying the intestinal microbiome to eliminate enterococcal clinical pathogens poses a challenge. To better understand how enterococci exist as both commensals and pathogens, in this article we discuss their clinical importance, antibiotic resistance, diversity in genomic composition and habitats, and interaction with the intestinal microbiome that may be used to prevent clinical infection. © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.
Journal Title: Microbiology Spectrum
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
ISSN: 2165-0497
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology  
Date Published: 2017-12-01
Start Page: BAD-0014-2016
Language: English
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.BAD-0014-2016
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5691600
PUBMED: 29125098
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 February 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Eric Pamer
    283 Pamer
  2. Krista Dubin
    6 Dubin