ABSTRACT
The enterococci and fecal streptococci are the species of Enterococcus and Streptococcus associated with the gastrointestinal tracts of man and animals and traditionally used as indicators of fecal contamination. The terms “enterococci,” “fecal streptococci,” and “group D streptococci” have been used more or less with the same meaning to describe the intestinal estreptococci. Many species of Enterococcus are part of the intestinal flora of mammals, birds and other animals. They are also isolated from foods, plants, soil and water. In waters the presence of enterococci is considered an indication of fecal contamination, and they have been used as indicators of distant contamination because of their long survival capacities. Enterococci are more resistant to environmental factors than entero-bacteria, and this is one of the main reasons why their use as indicator microorganisms has been criticized.
