Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Oral Enterococcus faecalis Isolates Compared to Isolates from Hospitalized Patients and Food.

Enterococcus faecalis, a commensal of the intestinal tract of humans and animals is of great significance as leading opportunistic pathogen, and also prevalent in oral diseases, such as endodontic infections, as well as the healthy oral cavity. To investigate the potential of oral E. faecalis to constitute a reservoir of antibiotic resistance, isolates from supragingival plaque/saliva and from endodontic infections were screened regarding their resistance to selected antibiotics in comparison to nosocomial and food isolates.