| Description | Enterococcus faecalis is a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacterium that thrives in a variety of temperatures, ranging from 20°C to 45°C, and thereby falls under the "mesophilic" temperature preference category. As a heterotroph, it obtains its energy by breaking down organic matter, specifically glucose and other carbohydrates, using cellular respiration to produce ATP. Its metabolism is characterized by the presence of cytochromes and flavoproteins, which are essential for energy production. As a gram-positive bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis has a thick peptidoglycan layer in its cell wall, which gives it a distinctive staining pattern when subjected to the gram stain. The bacterium's shape is typically spherical or ovoid, with a size ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 μm in diameter. Enterococcus faecalis is found on all body sites, including the oral cavity, gut, genital tract, and skin, and is part of the normal flora of the human body. Its ability to adapt to different environments and thrive in a range of oxygen conditions makes it a ubiquitous microbe. As an obligate anaerobe, Enterococcus faecalis is unable to survive in the presence of high levels of oxygen and instead thrives in environments with limited oxygen availability. This is achieved through the production of oxygen-scavenging enzymes and the ability to reduce oxygen to water and hydrogen peroxide. Despite its opportunistic nature, Enterococcus faecalis has been found to play a significant role in the human body, contributing to nutrient cycling and the maintenance of gut health. It has also been implicated in a range of diseases, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and bloodstream infections. In addition, Enterococcus faecalis has been found to have a unique ability to form biofilms, complex communities of microorganisms embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, which provide protection against antibiotics and the host immune system. This ability contributes to its persistence in the body and makes it a challenging target for antimicrobial therapy. |
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