NCIt definition : A species of facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive, cocci shaped bacteria in the
phylum Firmicutes. This species is nonmotile, non-spore forming, catalase negative,
hydrolyzes esculin, but not starch or hippurate, produces hydrogen sulfide, and does
not reduce nitrate. E. avium has been isolated from chicken feces and is commensal
in the human GI tract, but can be pathogenic to humans and in some cases is vancomycin
resistant.;
Alternative definition : CDISC: Any bacterial organism that can be assigned to the species Enterococcus avium.;