Isolation and Species Identification of Enterococci from Different Sources

Enterococcus play a dual role in human ecology by existing predominantly as a commensal in the alimentary canal and as an opportunistic pathogen. They are used as indicators of faecal contamination of drinking water. The presence of Enterococcus in the water distribution system channels present great challenge as this could pose serious health threat. Enterococcus can cause serious human infections, such as endocarditis and bacteremia (Murray, 1990) and have been reported as an emerging pathogen from various parts of world (Schaberg et al., 1991). There are only a few reports of the characterization of these bacteria from nonclinical sources from India.