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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
05:02
A 1.5 Hour Procedure for Identification of Enterococcus Species Directly from Blood Cultures
Published on: February 10, 2011
[Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia]
F J Fernández Fernández1, J de la Fuente Aguado, M Rubianes González
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Complexo Hospitalario Xeral-Cíes, Vigo. Pontevedra, Spain.
Revista Clinica Espanola
|May 15, 2004
Summary
Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia is primarily a hospital-acquired infection in patients with severe conditions, often linked to invasive procedures. Inadequate initial treatment and mechanical ventilation are poor prognostic factors for this infection.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia is a significant nosocomial infection.
- Patients often have severe underlying diseases and prior broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure.
- Invasive procedures are frequently associated with the development of bacteremia.
Purpose:
- To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and prognostic characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia.
- To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with E. faecalis bacteremia.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 95 E. faecalis bacteremia episodes revealed a predominantly nosocomial origin (83.2%).
- Common infection sources included cardiovascular, intra-abdominal, urogenital, and lung infections.
- Ampicillin demonstrated high efficacy, with only one case of resistance; global mortality was 23.9%, with 9.9% directly attributable to bacteremia.
Impact:
- Identifies inadequate initial empirical antibiotic treatment and mechanical ventilation as key factors predicting poor prognosis.
- Highlights ampicillin as the continued treatment of choice for E. faecalis bacteremia.
- Provides crucial data for optimizing the management of this serious hospital-acquired infection.
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