Fatoba Johnson Sunday
University of Benin, Nigeria
Title: Enterococcus Faecalis As NOSOCOMIAL PATHOGEN
Biography
Biography: Fatoba Johnson Sunday
Abstract
Enterococcus faecalis is Gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacteria, which usually inhabit the alimentary tract of humans in addition to being isolated from environmental and animal sources. They are able to survive hostile environments, such as in extreme temperature (5-650C), pH (4.5-10.0) and high NaCl concentration, enabling them to colonize a wide range of niches. Depending on the site of infection this organism colonizes, invades the host tissue using their surface adhensin causing pathological changes in the host. Enterococcus faecalis is the leading causative agent of serious nosocomial infections such as urinary tract infection (UTIs), endocarditis, bacteremia, intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic abscesses. This organism may frequently be acquired by cross-infection from other patients and through contaminated medical equipments. Diseases cause by this organism can be treated with antibiotics such as gentamycin, vancomycin and daptomycin. Cautious use of antibiotics and implementation of infection control measures are ways of preventing this infection. Understanding the pathogenicity and antibiotics resistance of this organism will help in preventing it from causing nosocomial infection