n. a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria formerly classified as species of *Streptococcus. They are normal inhabitants of the human and animal intestine but a few species, notably E. faecalis and E. faecium, can cause infections in humans. They are responsible for some hospital-acquired infections and have been found in teeth with persisting disease after root canal treatment. Enterococci have the ability to survive under adverse (starvation) conditions and are therefore difficult to eradicate; there is concern at the development of strains resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics, such as *vancomycin (glycopeptide-resistant enterococci, GRE).
Also known as mandelamine, a non-toxic keto-acid used in the treatment of infections of the urinary tract, especially those due to the Escherichia coli and the Streptococcus faecalis or Enterococcus. It is administered in doses of 3 grams several times daily. As it is only e?ective in an acid urine, ammonium chloride must be taken at the same time.... mandelic acid
(hospital infection) an infection that originates in a hospital. It may develop in a hospitalized patient or a member of the hospital staff, or it may be acquired in hospital but only develops after discharge. Such infections include those caused by fungi and opportunist bacteria. They are aggravated by factors favouring the spread of organisms (cross-contamination), such as insufficient hand washing among medical staff, and by reduced resistance of individual patients, as well as by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (see Clostridium; Enterococcus; MRSA).... nosocomial infection
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