Why is it important medically to distinguish between the enterococci and non-enterococci?
Enterococci are amongst the most antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from humans. Minor infections can usually be treated by antibiotics such as penicillins, macrolides or tetracyclines, taken by mouth. However, only penicillins, or teicoplanin and vancomycin (two expensive and potentially toxic antibiotics which can only be given by injection) are reliably effective against serious enterococcal infections such as endocarditis or meningitis. Serious infections often need prolonged treatment, usually with several antibiotics being given together by injection.