Among Enterococcus species, which is more commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections and higher resistance?

• A. faecalis
• B. durans
• C. gallinarum
• D. faecium

Answer: (D)

When evaluating Enterococcus species, the one most linked to hospital-acquired infections and higher antibiotic resistance is Enterococcus faecium. This species tends to thrive in healthcare settings and more readily acquires resistance determinants, including those that confer vancomycin resistance, leading to a greater presence of multidrug-resistant strains in hospitals. Because of this, E. faecium is a frequent cause of nosocomial infections such as bacteremia, urinary tract infections, and endocarditis, and it accounts for many cases of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. In comparison, Enterococcus faecalis is still common in infections but is generally less resistant and more often associated with community-acquired cases. The other species listed are much less typically implicated in hospital outbreaks or severe multidrug resistance.