enterococcus

1 7.9

A kind of bacteria that lives in intestines and can cause infections or show that water is dirty

noun
/ˌɛntəroʊˈkɑkəs/

Specialized

: enterococo

The guidelines referred to a strong correlation between enterococcus levels and the incidence of gastrointestinal illness.
enterococcus bacteria
Enterococcus faecium
Enterococcus faecalis

Examples

On 64 separate occasions involving 44 beaches, the enterococcus value was greater than the U.S. EPA-recommended standard of 104.

Academic text (1997)
The guidelines referred to a strong correlation between enterococcus levels and the incidence of gastrointestinal illness.

Academic text (1994)
Using enterococcus bacteria only, it was clear that rainfall was the primary influence.

Academic text (2009)
In 1989, evaluating enterococcus bacteria as the primary indicator organism showed a correlation between elevated enterococcus levels and rainfall.

Academic text (2009)
When the sewage grease did wash ashore, the enterococcus levels became elevated until the floatables were no longer present.

Academic text (2009)
A routine bacterial culture of the lesion showed enterococcus spp. (rare) and staphylococcus epidermidis.

Academic text (2007)
On 64 separate occasions involving 44 beaches, the enterococcus value was greater than the U.S. EPA-recommended standard of 104.
Many enterococci have become resistant to vancomycin, but the isolates most frequently encountered include Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis.

Surface Forms

enterococcus singular

enterococci plural

Morphology

enterococcus = enteron + coccus (semi-transparent) = entero + coccus

Built from the medical combining forms 'entero-' (intestine) + 'coccus' (spherical bacterium); the structure is clear but relies on specialized scientific morphemes not familiar to general learners.

Etymology

Enterococcus comes from the Greek words enteron meaning 'intestine' and coccus meaning 'berry' (a round shape). So an enterococcus is a small, round germ from the gut, which is why it is found in intestines and can cause infections or show water contamination.