Coliform bacteria

Coliform bacteria are defined as either motile or non-motile Gram-negative non-spore forming bacilli that possess β-galactosidase to produce acids and gases under their optimal growth temperature of 35–37 °C.

[2] Coliforms can be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on vegetation; they are universally present in large numbers in the feces of warm-blooded animals as they are known to inhabit the gastrointestinal system.

When cultured on an eosin methylene blue (EMB) plate, a positive result for E. coli is metallic green colonies on a dark purple medium.

Infection symptoms and signs include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and occasionally, fever.

[citation needed] As of November 15, 2021, seven states in the USA declared ten cases of illnesses from an E. coli O157:H7 strain.

[13] As of February 7, 2022, the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada reported a collective fourteen confirmed cases of E. coli O157 strain illnesses.

[15][16] Specific areas of the 16S rRNA in the Enterobacteriaceae genus are bound by oligonucleotide probes, which aids in monitoring the quality of drinking water.

When used in conjunction with a chemiluminescent substrate, light is produced where each colony of E. coli is located, indicating that they are present in the sample.