Enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. They are also found in in soil, water and plants. In humans, the infections are commonly caused by two species, Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium. These pathogens have high levels of intrinsic antibiotic resistance against many important antibiotics such as vancomycin, aminoglycosides (tobramycin and kanamycin) and certain ß-lactam antibiotics and cephalosporins (penicillin, clindamycin and streptogramins), making them highly resilient. They are considered as one of the important pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections leading to clinical illness such as endocarditis, urinary tract infections (UTI), bacteraemia and meningitis.
There are continuous and ongoing efforts in understanding the structural features and mode of action of these pathogens, vital in driving scientific discovery towards prevention and treatment strategies against these infections. Through this research topic, we aim to explore the scientific gaps associated with our understanding of Enterococcus spp. and its importance to design better drug and treatment modalities.
The current Research Topic aims to highlight the latest scientific findings on these pathogens in the following areas:
1. Mode of transmission between the hosts.
2. Pathogenesis and resistance mechanisms developed by the species.
3. Host-pathogen interaction and immune evasion mechanisms.
4. Prevention strategies to stem the infection.
5. Novel treatment strategies against the infection.
Enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. They are also found in in soil, water and plants. In humans, the infections are commonly caused by two species, Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium. These pathogens have high levels of intrinsic antibiotic resistance against many important antibiotics such as vancomycin, aminoglycosides (tobramycin and kanamycin) and certain ß-lactam antibiotics and cephalosporins (penicillin, clindamycin and streptogramins), making them highly resilient. They are considered as one of the important pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections leading to clinical illness such as endocarditis, urinary tract infections (UTI), bacteraemia and meningitis.
There are continuous and ongoing efforts in understanding the structural features and mode of action of these pathogens, vital in driving scientific discovery towards prevention and treatment strategies against these infections. Through this research topic, we aim to explore the scientific gaps associated with our understanding of Enterococcus spp. and its importance to design better drug and treatment modalities.
The current Research Topic aims to highlight the latest scientific findings on these pathogens in the following areas:
1. Mode of transmission between the hosts.
2. Pathogenesis and resistance mechanisms developed by the species.
3. Host-pathogen interaction and immune evasion mechanisms.
4. Prevention strategies to stem the infection.
5. Novel treatment strategies against the infection.
