How Do You Spell STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS?

1. Streptococcus faecalis is a type of bacteria that belongs to the Streptococcus genus and the Enterococcus subgroup. It is a Gram-positive, non-motile, and facultative anaerobic bacterium that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, particularly in the large intestine.

   The specific epithet "faecalis" refers to its ability to survive and thrive in the fecal environment. Streptococcus faecalis is known to have the ability to ferment carbohydrates, producing lactic acid as a byproduct. This bacterium is also capable of bile esculin hydrolysis, which enables it to grow and survive in the presence of bile salts.

   Although Streptococcus faecalis is considered a normal resident of the human gut microbiota, it can also act as an opportunistic pathogen. It is often associated with various infections, particularly in the urinary tract, intra-abdominal area, and even bloodstream infections. It can also cause endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart valves.

   Streptococcus faecalis is generally resistant to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat infections caused by this bacterium. In recent years, an increasing number of strains have displayed resistance to vancomycin, which is typically used as a last resort treatment option for multidrug-resistant infections.

   Overall, Streptococcus faecalis is a bacterium commonly found in the human gut, but can also cause infections in various body sites. Its resistance to many antibiotics poses a significant challenge in its management and treatment.

2. A short-chained s. occurring in great numbers in the intestine; it is found in chronic forms of malignant endocarditis, in chronic cystitis, and in certain terminal infections.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS

The etymology of the word Streptococcus faecalis can be broken down as follows:

1. Streptococcus: The term Streptococcus comes from two Greek words: strepto meaning twisted or curved and kokkos meaning grain or berry. This refers to the bacteria's characteristic shape, which appears in long chains resembling twisted or curved grains.

2. Faecalis: The term faecalis comes from the Latin word faex, which means dregs or sediment. It refers to the fact that this bacterium is commonly found in the feces (waste material) of animals, including humans.

Thus, Streptococcus faecalis literally means twisted berry-shaped bacterium found in feces.