Enterococcus faecalis

(Ent-er-oh-cock-us fee-cal-is)

A typical diplococcus — a round bacterium that occurs in the form of two joined cells.

E. faecalis is found in most healthy people but can cause endocarditis (an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart), urinary tract infections, meningitis and other infections.

Of particular concern is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, especially vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).