ABSTRACT
The Enterococcus is a normal component of the endogenous gastrointestinal and perineal flora. Overall, the ability of enterococci to cause disease (virulence) is limited relative to other common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, or aerobic gram-negative bacilli. As a result, enterococcal infections occur primarily when normal host defenses are impaired (1-5).
