Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive commensal bacteria inhabiting the alimentary canals of humans and animals, are now acknowledged to be organisms capable of causing life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial (hospital) environment. The existence of enterococci in such a dual role is facilitated, at least in part, by its intrinsic and acquired resistance to virtually all antibiotics currently in use.

They are resistant to many commonly used antimicrobial agents (aminoglycosides, aztreonam, cephalosporins, clindamycin, the semi-synthetic penicillins nafcillin and oxacillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Exposure to cephalosporins is a particularly important risk factor for colonization and infection with enterococci. Thus, the era in which safe and effective cephalosporins became widely available has also been an era of enterococcal ascendance.

E. facaelis can cause endocarditis, as well as bladder, prostate, and epididymal infections; nervous system infections are less common.

Prior to 1984, E. facaelis was known as Streptococcus faecalis.

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