Enterococcus cecorum

Enterococcus cecorum is a species of Gram-positive and facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the genus Enterococcus within the family Enterococcaceae. It was originally described as a member of the genus Streptococcus but later reclassified based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic evidence.^[1]

Enterococcus cecorum
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Bacillati
Phylum:	Bacillota
Class:	Bacilli
Order:	Lactobacillales
Family:	Enterococcaceae
Genus:	Enterococcus
Species:	E. cecorum
Binomial name
Enterococcus cecorum (Williams, Farrow & Collins 1989) Collins et al. 1991
Type strain
NCDO 2293

Ecology

The species name cecorum refers to the cecum, a part of the intestinal tract where it was first isolated. E. cecorum is part of the normal intestinal microbiota of various animals, particularly poultry, pigs, and ruminants. It has also been detected in humans, though less frequently.

Clinical relevance

While typically considered commensal, E. cecorum has emerged as a significant pathogen in broiler chickens. It is associated with enterococcal spondylitis, osteomyelitis, and septicemia, especially in rapidly growing poultry flocks. ^[2]