Enterococcus Count
Enterococcus microorganism is a type of bacteria generally found in the gut. In healthy people or in normal amounts, enterococcus bacteria do not cause a health problem. However, if it spreads to other parts of the body, it can lead to life-threatening infections. People who have other health problems or are in a hospital setting are at higher risk of developing infections.There are nearly twenty enterococcus bacteria species identified so far. However, only two of these are common in humans: enterococcus faecalis and enterococcus faecium. Both types of bacteria are studied in detail by food and water microbiologists. Of these, enterococcus faecalis is responsible for about 80 percent of cases of infection in humans. When bacteria enter wounds, blood or urine, they cause infection in humans. People with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. For example, having weakened immunity due to illness or surgery, being treated for cancer, being on dialysis, waiting for an organ transplant, or being exposed to HIV or AIDS increase the risk.
Presence of enterococci (enterococcus) in foodstuffs does not mean that foods are directly contaminated with faeces. The two bacterial species described above are common both in the digestive systems of humans and animals, and in nature. Therefore, the presence of these two bacterial species does not mean that other pathogens such as salmonella and listeria will be present. On the other hand, if a high number of enterococci are found in analysis studies in water, this is accepted as a fecal contamination indicator.
