Background: Enterococci are the normal commensals of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. They have emerged as serious nosocomial pathogens and its multidrug resistance as a cause for concern. This study is undertaken to isolate and speciate Enterococci from various clinical specimens by biochemical methods and to study the antibiogram. Methodology: A total of 100 isolates from the clinical specimens like urine, pus, blood and body fluids were processed in the department of Microbiology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G. Nagara, for a period of one and half year. The isolates were speciated by using conventional tests and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Confirmation of vancomycin susceptibility was done by the Epsilometer test (E test) Results: Out of 100 Enterococcal isolates, majority were from age group of 51-60 years (24%) and male (58%). Most common species isolated was E.faecalis (74%) followed by E.faecium (26%). All isolates were sensitive to Teicoplanin and Linezolid. Majority of the isolates were resistant to Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin. 20 isolates were intermediately sensitive to Vancomycin by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. All intermediately sensitive isolates to Vancomycin were further tested by the E test and they were found to be Vancomycin sensitive. Conclusion: There is an increase in the rate of infection and antibiotic resistance in the Enterococcus species. The emergence of Vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) presents a serious challenge for clinicians treating the patients and the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method is not an accurate method for detecting the VRE. 

Keywords: Enterococcus; Speciation; VRE