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Enterococcus
Enterococcus Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).
Feces
Stool.
Enterococcus
Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Wound
A wound is a physical trauma where the skin is torn, cut or punctured. Exposed to air, there is not only a significant chance of death due to loss of blood, but increased chance of bacteria entering the wound or an infection.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Heart
The hollow, muscular organ responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system.
Brain
"That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called ""hemispheres."" "
Skin
Skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. Skin is used for insulation, vitamin D production, sensation, and excretion (through sweat).
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Enteral
Pertaining to the small intestine. As in enteral nutrition. Also called enteric.
Enteral nutrition
A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube in the nose is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral tube. A tube that goes through the skin into the stomach is called a gastrostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). A tube into the small intestine is called a jejunostomy or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tube. Also called tube feeding.
Enteric
Pertaining to the small intestine. Also called (less often) enteral.
Enteric-coated
Coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released.
Enteritis
An irritation of the small intestine.
Enteritis, Crohn
Crohn disease involving only the small intestine. Crohn disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. The disease is usually diagnosed in persons in their teens or twenties, but can occur at any point in life. Crohn disease can be a chronic, recurrent condition or can cause minimal symptoms with or even without medical treatment. In mild forms, Crohn disease causes small scattered shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called aphthous ulcers in the inner surface of the bowel. In more serious cases, deeper and larger ulcers can develop, causing scarring and stiffness and possibly narrowing of the bowel, sometimes leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs.
Entero
Combining form that refers to the intestine (the gut). As in enterocolitis, enteropathy, and enterovirus.
Enterobiasis
Pinworm infection, an infection caused by a small, white intestinal worm -- the pinworm or, more formally, Enterobius vermicularis. The pinworm is about the length of a staple and lives for the most part within the rectum of humans. While an infected person is asleep, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus. The symptoms of a pinworm infection are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Most symptoms of pinworm infection are mild, and many infected people have no symptoms or, at most , some itching around the anus, disturbed sleep, and irritability. However, if the infection is heavy, these symptoms may be correspondingly more severe and also include loss of appetite, restlessness, and insomnia.
Enterocele
Condition caused by weakened muscles in the pelvis in which a portion of the intestines bulges into the top of the vagina.
Enteropathy
Any pathology (disease) of the intestine.
Enteroplasty
Surgery on the intestine, especially to enlarge a constricted segment or lengthen a short bowel.
Enteroscopy
An examination of the small intestine with an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine.
Enterospasm
A painful, intense contraction of the intestine.
Enterostomal therapist
A health care specialist trained to help patients care for and adjust to their colostomy.
Enterostomal therapy nurse
A nurse who cares for patients with an ostomy. See also Ostomy.
Enterostomy
An ostomy, or opening, into the intestine through the abdominal wall.
Enterotoxin
A cytotoxin specific for the cells of the intestinal mucosa.
Enterovirus
A virus that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there, often moving on to attack the nervous system. The polioviruses are enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are small viruses that are made of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein. In addition to the three different polioviruses, there are 61 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans: 29 Coxsackieviruses (23 Coxsackie A viruses and 6 Coxsackie B viruses), 28 echoviruses, and 4 other enteroviruses.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Enteric
Pertaining to the small intestine. Also called (less often) enteral.
Enteric-coated
Coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released.
Enteritis, Crohn
Crohn disease involving only the small intestine. Crohn disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. The disease is usually diagnosed in persons in their teens or twenties, but can occur at any point in life. Crohn disease can be a chronic, recurrent condition or can cause minimal symptoms with or even without medical treatment. In mild forms, Crohn disease causes small scattered shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called aphthous ulcers in the inner surface of the bowel. In more serious cases, deeper and larger ulcers can develop, causing scarring and stiffness and possibly narrowing of the bowel, sometimes leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs.
Entero
Combining form that refers to the intestine (the gut). As in enterocolitis, enteropathy, and enterovirus.
Enterobiasis
Pinworm infection, an infection caused by a small, white intestinal worm -- the pinworm or, more formally, Enterobius vermicularis. The pinworm is about the length of a staple and lives for the most part within the rectum of humans. While an infected person is asleep, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus. The symptoms of a pinworm infection are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Most symptoms of pinworm infection are mild, and many infected people have no symptoms or, at most , some itching around the anus, disturbed sleep, and irritability. However, if the infection is heavy, these symptoms may be correspondingly more severe and also include loss of appetite, restlessness, and insomnia.
Enterococcus
Enteropathy
Any pathology (disease) of the intestine.
Enteroplasty
Surgery on the intestine, especially to enlarge a constricted segment or lengthen a short bowel.
Enterospasm
A painful, intense contraction of the intestine.
Enterostomal therapist
A health care specialist trained to help patients care for and adjust to their colostomy.
Enterovirus
A virus that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there, often moving on to attack the nervous system. The polioviruses are enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are small viruses that are made of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein. In addition to the three different polioviruses, there are 61 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans: 29 Coxsackieviruses (23 Coxsackie A viruses and 6 Coxsackie B viruses), 28 echoviruses, and 4 other enteroviruses.
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