Escherichia coli & Coliforms

Coliforms: Are intestinal bacteria that are often a result from contamination by faeces. The natural contamination sources are lakes, rivers, swimming pools and also soil. They are defined as rod-shaped Gram-negative facultative anaerobic non-spore forming organisms that ferment lactose with the production of acid and gas when incubated at 35-37°C. In most cases coliforms are not causing illness, but they are used as indicator for other pathogenic organisms of fecal origin may be present in foods and water.
Typical genera of coliforms include Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Serratia and others.

Escherichia coli (E. coli): Is the most famous member of the coliform group bacteria and as well an important indicator for fecal contamination, as it is almost exclusively of fecal origin. In some cases it is involved in food poisoning, certain strains causing gastroenteritis (such as serotype O157:H7 and other enterovirulent E.coli. E. coli is often used in molecular biology as it is easy to culture. It is rod-shaped bacteria and can be distinguished from most other coliforms by its ability to ferment lactose at 44°C, and by its growth characteristics on certain media.

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