Biomaterial Database

Species identities of enterococci isolated from clinical specimens. 1990

K L Ruoff, and L de la Maza, and M J Murtagh, and J D Spargo, and M J Ferraro

Francis Blake Bacteriology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.

Conventional tests and commercially available systems were used to determine the species identities of clinical isolates of enterococci. Strict adherence to the conventional test scheme of Facklam and Collins (R. R. Facklam and M. D. Collins, J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:731-734, 1989) resulted in the misidentification of lactose-negative Enterococcus faecalis isolates as Enterococcus solitarius, but this problem was overcome by the application of additional tests. The commercially available systems tested were unable to recognize some of the more recently described enterococcal species. E. faecalis accounted for 87.1% of 302 consecutive isolates. Enterococcus faecium (8.6%), Enterococcus avium (0.7%), Enterococcus durans (0.3%), Enterococcus gallinarum (1.0%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (1.0%), Enterococcus hirae (0.3%), and Enterococcus raffinosus (0.3%) isolates were also identified. None of the isolates produced beta-lactamase, but 15.4% of 235 isolates tested, including 1 strain of E. gallinarum, displayed high-level resistance to gentamicin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D005839	Gentamicins	A complex of closely related aminoglycosides obtained from MICROMONOSPORA purpurea and related species. They are broad-spectrum antibiotics, but may cause ear and kidney damage. They act to inhibit PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS.	Gentamicin Sulfate (USP),Gentamycin,G-Myticin,Garamycin,Gentacycol,Gentamicin,Gentamicin Sulfate,Gentamycins,Gentavet,Genticin,G Myticin,GMyticin,Sulfate, Gentamicin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001618	beta-Lactamases	Enzymes found in many bacteria which catalyze the hydrolysis of the amide bond in the beta-lactam ring. Well known antibiotics destroyed by these enzymes are penicillins and cephalosporins.	beta-Lactamase,beta Lactamase,beta Lactamases
D013290	Streptococcal Infections	Infections with bacteria of the genus STREPTOCOCCUS.	Group A Strep Infection,Group A Streptococcal Infection,Group A Streptococcal Infections,Group B Strep Infection,Group B Streptococcal Infection,Group B Streptococcal Infections,Infections, Streptococcal,Infection, Streptococcal,Streptococcal Infection
D013291	Streptococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.
D013293	Enterococcus faecalis	A species of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens and the human intestinal tract. Most strains are nonhemolytic.	Streptococcus Group D,Streptococcus faecalis