COLIFORM Meaning and
Definition
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Coliform is a term used to describe a group of bacteria that belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae and are widely found in the environment. These bacteria are gram-negative, non-spore-forming, and facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. They are typically rod-shaped and can be motile or non-motile.
Coliform bacteria are commonly used as an indicator organism in water quality testing. They are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and their presence in water or food is an indication of fecal contamination. The presence of coliform bacteria suggests that harmful pathogens, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), may also be present.
The most common method used to detect coliforms is the coliform count, which involves taking a water or food sample and growing it on a selective medium that supports the growth of these bacteria. The resulting colonies are then counted and examined for specific characteristics, such as lactose fermentation and gas production.
Coliform bacteria are generally harmless, but some strains, such as pathogenic E. coli, can cause serious illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections. Therefore, their presence in water or food indicates a potential risk to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) and regulatory agencies use coliform bacteria as one of the criteria in assessing the microbiological safety of water supplies.
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Resembling the colon bacillus, belonging to the coli-group.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COLIFORM
Etymology of COLIFORM
The word "coliform" is derived from Latin. It consists of two components: "coli" and "form".
The term "coli" comes from the Latin word "colere", which means "to dwell" or "to inhabit". It is related to the word "colon", referring to the large intestine, where many coliform bacteria are commonly found.
The second component, "form", derives from the Latin word "forma", which means "shape" or "form". In the context of the word "coliform", it refers to the characteristic shape or structure of these bacteria.
Therefore, the etymology of "coliform" implies a connection to the large intestine or colon and describes the specific shape or form of bacteria belonging to this group.
Similar spelling words for COLIFORM
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