ENTEROCOCCUS-FAECIUM IN HOSPITALS

Most of the characteristics that have ensured the success of enterococ ci as nosocomial pathogens were described early in this century. Enter ococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, the enterococci most freque ntly isolated from clinical material, differ fundamentally, The intrin sic antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecium, supplemented by acquired resistance mechanisms, can generate a glycopeptide-multiply-r esistant nosocomial pathogen that survives on hands and in the environ ment, and has the potential for intra-hospital and inter-hospital spre ad. The use of terms such as 'an enterococcus', 'faecal streptococci' and 'group D streptococci' have hindered, and still hinder, our unders tanding of a species rapidly emerging as the most problematic of nosoc omial pathogens.