Probiotics are described as live microbes that, once consumed in sufficient quantities, provide a health advantage to the host. A rising number of research works have verified the health benefits of probiotics. Enterococci are common bacteria that may be found almost anywhere. For their opportunistic pathogenicity, Enterococci have been associated with numerous nosocomial infections resulting from resistance to antibiotics and the existence of other virulence factors, notably the development of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. However, some Enterococcal strains such as E. faecium and E. faecalis strains are being utilized as probiotics and are widely marketed, usually in the form of pharmaceutical solutions. Enterococcus spp. based probiotics are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, infectious diarrhea, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea, along with decreasing cholesterol levels and enhancing host immunity. To be used as probiotics in the future, Enterococcal strains must be properly defined and thoroughly evaluated in terms of safety and can be beneficial. Here, in this work, we have reviewed various aspects of Enterococcus spp. pertaining to its possibility of being utilized as a probiotic strain.
Key words: Probiotics, Enterococcus spp., Enterocins, Pathogenecity, Anti-oxidant properties
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