COLLIFORM Meaning and
Definition
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Colliform is an adjective used to describe the presence of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family in a particular sample. These bacteria are typically gram-negative, facultative anaerobes, and non-spore forming. Colliform bacteria display the ability to ferment lactose, yielding acid and gas, which makes them distinct for identification purposes. Common examples of colliform bacteria include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter aerogenes.
The term "colliform" stems from the Latin word "colere," meaning "to cultivate" or "to inhabit," and it refers to the presence of these bacteria in a specified environment. Colliform bacteria can be found in various ecological niches, such as water sources, sewage, soil, plants, and the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals.
In microbiology and water quality assessment, colliform bacteria serve as indicators for fecal contamination. The presence of colliforms in water or food can indicate potential pathogens, as many of these bacteria species possess health risks. Consequently, the detection of colliforms can trigger further investigation to determine if pathogenic bacteria are present. This term helps researchers and authorities monitor and assess the potential risks associated with the presence of specific bacteria in various environments.
Overall, the concept of colliform organisms is valuable in identifying potential indicators of fecal contamination, alerting microbiologists and scientists to possible health hazards, and assisting in maintaining water and food safety standards.
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Trade name of a mixture of gelatin and formaldehyde employed in antiseptic dressings.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COLLIFORM
- caliform
- cayliform
- coliform
- coliiform
- colifom
- colifform
- xolliform
- folliform
- dolliform
- cklliform
- cllliform
- cplliform
- c0lliform
- c9lliform
- colluform
- colljform
- collkform
- colloform
- coll9form
- coll8form
Etymology of COLLIFORM
The word "colliform" is derived from the combination of two roots: "coli" and "form".
The root "coli" is derived from the Latin word "colicus", which means pertaining to the colon. It is often associated with bacteria found in the colon, specifically the Escherichia coli or E. coli, which is commonly used as an indicator organism for fecal contamination in water and food.
The root "form" comes from the Latin word "forma", meaning shape or form. In scientific and medical terms, it is often used to refer to the shape or morphology of certain organisms. When combined with "coli", it indicates that the term "colliform" specifically relates to the characteristic shape or morphology of bacterial species similar to E. coli, which are commonly found in the colon.
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