Clinical manifestations of enterococcal infection.

Enterococci are important causes of community-acquired and nosocomial infection. They cause endocarditis, bacteremia, urinary tract infections and neonatal sepsis. As causes of intra-abdominal and pelvic infection, enterococci are more commonly associated with abscess, biliary tract infection, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, post-operative infection, post-partum endomyometritis and chronic or recurrent infection. As causes of soft tissue infection, enterococci are more commonly identified in burns, decubitus or diabetic foot ulcers, and wounds associated with intestinal surgery. Enterococci are often cultured in association with other pathogens when identified in intra-abdominal, pelvic or skin and soft tissue infection. Enterococcal superinfection after therapy with cephalosporins has been well described, and occurs as a result of the low in vitro activity of cephalosporins against enterococci. The epidemiology of enterococcal infection is complex and includes both endogenous and exogenous acquisition of the organism. Antibiotic resistance is an ever-increasing problem complicating therapy in patients with enterococcal infection.