ABSTRACT
The Enterococcus is a normal component of the endogenous gastrointestinal and perineal flora. Overall, the ability of enterococci to cause disease
(virulence) is quite limited relative to other common pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, or aerobic gramnegative bacilli. As a result, enterococcal infections occur primarily when normal host defenses are impaired.
