[1] It can be commensal (innocuous, coexisting organism) in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals,[2] but it may also be pathogenic, causing diseases such as neonatal meningitis or endocarditis.

[4] By producing the enterocins A, B, and P (genus-specific bacteriocins), Enterococcus faecium can combat pathogenic gut microbes, such as Escherichia coli, reducing gastrointestinal disease in hosts.

[7] However, the constant exposure to high levels of this microbe result in immunosuppression by reducing expression of IL-8, IL-10, and CD86, predisposing livestock to severe Salmonella infections.

[9] The rapid increase of VRE has made it difficult for physicians to fight infections caused by E. faecium since not many antimicrobial solutions are available.

[10] A genome-wide E. faecium sRNA study suggested that some sRNAs are linked to the antibiotic resistance and stress response.

[13] A study published in 2018 showed multi drug-resistant E. faecium exhibiting tolerance to alcohol-based solutions.