| Description | Enterococcus avium is a Gram-positive, coccus-shaped bacterium that thrives in a temperature range of 25-45°C, placing it in the mesophilic temperature preference category. This microbe is a heterotroph, meaning it requires organic compounds as a source of energy, and utilizes a respiratory process to produce energy through the breakdown of sugars and other carbon-rich molecules. As a facultative anaerobe, Enterococcus avium can grow and thrive in the presence or absence of oxygen. This adaptability allows it to colonize a wide range of host species and body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract of mammals, as well as the environment. The Gram-positive staining of Enterococcus avium indicates that its cell wall contains a thick peptidoglycan layer, which is responsible for its Gram-positive reaction. The coccus shape of the bacteria, characterized by their spherical or oval morphology, allows them to stick together and form aggregates, which can contribute to their ability to adhere to host tissues and evade the immune system. Enterococcus avium is commonly found in soil, water, and animal feces, and has been linked to a range of clinical infections, including endocarditis, urinary tract infections, and septicemia. One notable characteristic of Enterococcus avium is its ability to form biofilms, complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are protected by a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. This ability allows the bacteria to persist on host tissues and in medical devices, making them difficult to eradicate with antibiotic treatment. |
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