Enterococci and antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Enterococci are widely distributed in nature. Intestinal tract of humans and animals is the natural habitat of these organisms. They gain entry into raw material and foodstuffs through the water supply, food animals, or unhygienic conditions of the production and handling. Enterococci have been known to be resistant to most antibiotics used in clinical practice. Multidrug-resistant and vancomycin-resistant enterococci are commonly isolated from humans, animal sources, aquatic habitats, agricultural run-off which indicates their ability to enter the human food chain. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are emerging as a global threat to public health.