Microbial Top Facts: Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium belonging to the lactic acid bacteria group. It was formerly classified as group D streptococci, until 1984 when Streptococcus faecalis became reclassified to Enterococcus faecalis. E. faecalis is a commensal bacterium that lives harmlessly in a healthy human gut and is commonly used as a probiotic i.e., live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed; however, it can cause infections when it spreads to other parts of the body. Read on to find out more interesting facts about Enterococcus faecalis.

Where can we find Enterococcus faecalis

It is normally found in human and animals’ gastro-intestinal tract (GI tract) as well as the environment.

What makes it thrive

The bacterium can survive in both acidic and alkaline environment with some strains resisting the effects of multiple antibiotics such as last resort vancomycin. This means that any attempts to eradicate it from the human body can be extremely tricky. It can also survive long periods of nutritional deprivation, as well as form biofilms on surfaces, and get into food.

What can it cause?

Enterococcus faecalis is easily transferred from person to person via physical contact and through contact with contaminated surfaces. As a result, healthcare professionals regularly stress the importance of employing proper hand-washing techniques in the fight against its spread. Eating a healthy, fibre-rich diet is understood to help stabilise the naturally occurring bacterial community (the so-called good bacteria) in our gut which has a protective effect for us against the ‘bad’ (disease-causing) members of that community, such as E. faecalis. When our gut microbes are balanced and healthy, there is less opportunity for the bad bacteria to cause infections.

Why test for it?

Enterococcus faecalis is easily transferred from person to person via physical contact and through contact with contaminated surfaces. As a result, healthcare professionals regularly stress the importance of employing proper hand-washing techniques in the fight against its spread. Eating a healthy, fibre-rich diet is understood to help stabilise the naturally occurring bacterial community (the so-called good bacteria) in our gut which has a protective effect for us against the ‘bad’ (disease-causing) members of that community, such as E. faecalis. When our gut microbes are balanced and healthy, there is less opportunity for the bad bacteria to cause infections.