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Published on: October 22, 2013

Pathogenicity of enterococci outside of urinary tract and blood stream

A von Graevenitz

    Klinische Wochenschrift
    |July 15, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Enterococci rarely cause infections alone, often requiring compromised defenses or acting with other bacteria. Antibiotics ineffective against enterococci can increase the risk of dangerous bloodstream infections like septicemia.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Clinical Medicine

    Background:

    • Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens.
    • Their role in infections outside the urinary tract and bloodstream is not fully understood.
    • Local defense mechanisms and synergistic interactions with other bacteria may influence enterococcal pathogenicity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the circumstances under which enterococci cause infections.
    • To investigate the role of enterococci in mixed bacterial infections.
    • To assess the risk of enterococcal septicemia.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of enterococcal infections.
    • Analysis of clinical case studies involving enterococci.
    • Microbiological culture and identification techniques.

    Main Results:

    • Enterococci seldom cause infections independently, typically requiring severely compromised local defenses (e.g., indwelling devices).
    • They are frequently isolated in mixed cultures, suggesting synergistic activity with other bacterial species.
    • Enterococci can translocate to the bloodstream, leading to septicemia, a risk potentially amplified by antibiotics ineffective against them, such as cephalosporins.

    Conclusions:

    • Enterococcal infections outside the urinary tract and bloodstream are rare and context-dependent.
    • Synergistic interactions with other bacteria are common in enterococcal pathogenesis.
    • Antibiotic selection pressure from ineffective agents can promote enterococcal supercolonization and increase the risk of severe infections.

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