Enterococcus faecalis V583 prophages: Dynamic interactions and contribution to bacterial pathogenic traits

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology.

Enterococcus faecalis is a firmicute of the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) core-microbiome. This commensal bacterium is one of the first to colonize the GIT of humans after birth and remains associated with the adult human gut microbiota at sub-dominant levels. Although harmless, certain strains can become pathogenic in immune-compromised and elderly patients causing urinary tract infections, bacteremia and infective endocarditis. This bacterial species has been recognized as an opportunistic pathogen for several decades, and now ranks as a major cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide.(...)