Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium, member of the lactic acid bacteria group and is also one of the major causative agents of nosocomial infections. Moreover, the oxidative stress is one of the main challenges bacteria have to cope with during their process of infection. This review gives a description of this opportunist pathogen bacterium and an overview of the oxidative stress response and its regulation. We subsequently summarize results that suggest a relationship between this stress response and the virulence in E. faecalis.
Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.