The aim of the study was the analysis of cocci of Enterococcus genus isolated from body fluids of hospitalised patients, and the evaluation of antibiotic-sensitivity of examined strains.The analysis included 2918 samples, mainly blood (2432) and cerebrospinal fluid (148), as well as the following fluids: from peritoneal cavity (25), from pleural cavity (38), exudate (259) and bile (16). There were 401 (13.7%) positive samples in all the examined material. 79 Enterococcus strains, mainly Enterococcus faecalis - 52 strains (65.8%) and Enterococcus faecium - 18 (22.8%) were isolated from body fluids - the remaining 9 strains (11.4%) were classified as Enterococcus spp. Enterococci were the third largest group when compared to other micro-organisms cultured on this kind of material. The most numerous were Enterococci isolated from blood cultures - 32 strains (12.2%).28 Enterococcus strains were isolated from all the examined exudates, which included mainly fluids from pancreatic cyst. The analysis of 16 bile samples allowed for the detection of Enterococci in 6 cases. Enterococcus monocultures were found in 44% of examined samples, mainly in blood. None of the examined Enterococci produced betalactamases in the applied nitrocephine test. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined in 79 Enterococcus strains.

Keywords: Blood, Body Fluids, Enterococcus, susceptibility to antybiotics, Infection