Characterization of Enterococcus species in a tertiary care hospital

Background & objectives: Enterococci are a part of normal intestinal flora of humans and animals but are increasingly being recognized as important human pathogens. Although they cause only a few clinical infections in human beings since the beginning of antibiotic era, they have posed major therapeutic challenges to humans. Material & methods: Various samples coming to Microbiology division of central laboratory such as blood, pus, urine etc. were included in the study. All the essential biochemical reactions needed to establish the identity of Enterococci spp. were put followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results: In our study we found the predominance of Enterococcus faecalis followed by E. faecium and E.columbae.44.4 % isolates were recovered from surgery ward predominantly from urine samples. Discussion: The present study was undertaken for phenotypic characterization of Enterococcus spp. Majority of cases belonged to surgery probably due to catheterization, surgical procedures and prolonged hospitalization.