However, there is growing
evidence that these bacteria frequently possess several specific
traits that enable them to survive in the hospital environment,
colonize patients, and cause infections such as
bacteraemia, peritonitis, endocarditis and urinary tract,
wound, and device-related infections. Several recent studies
have indentified putative virulence factors in E. faecalis, but
also in E. faecium, albeit to a lesser extent (see Table 1). A
better understanding of the factors that enable enterococci
to cause infections and of the host immune response to
these pathogens can contribute to the development of new
therapeutic and prophylactic approaches, which may help to
prevent nosocomial spread of and infections with these
bacteria.