Coliform vs. E. Coli

Attribute	Coliform	E. Coli
Classification	Bacteria	Bacteria
Presence in Water	Indicator of contamination	Indicator of fecal contamination
Species	Various species	Escherichia coli
Pathogenicity	Generally non-pathogenic	Can cause illness
Testing Method	Presence/Absence test	Specific tests for E. Coli

Introduction

Coliform and E. Coli are two types of bacteria that are commonly found in the environment, including in water sources. While they are both members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, there are some key differences between the two in terms of their attributes and characteristics.

Coliform

Coliform bacteria are a broad class of bacteria that are commonly used as indicators of water quality. They are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and are typically not harmful themselves. However, their presence in water can indicate the potential presence of other harmful pathogens.

• Coliform bacteria are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of fermenting lactose.
• They are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination in water sources.
• Coliform bacteria are not necessarily harmful themselves, but their presence can indicate the potential presence of other harmful pathogens.
• They are commonly found in soil, vegetation, and water sources.
• Coliform bacteria are relatively easy to detect and are commonly used in water quality testing.

E. Coli

E. Coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a specific type of coliform bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. While most strains of E. Coli are harmless, some can cause serious illness, including food poisoning and urinary tract infections.

• E. Coli is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is capable of fermenting lactose.
• Some strains of E. Coli can produce toxins that can cause illness in humans.
• E. Coli is commonly used as an indicator of fecal contamination in water sources.
• It is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
• E. Coli is a common cause of foodborne illness and urinary tract infections in humans.

Attributes

While both coliform bacteria and E. Coli are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of fermenting lactose, there are some key differences between the two in terms of their attributes and characteristics.

• Coliform bacteria are a broad class of bacteria that are commonly used as indicators of water quality, while E. Coli is a specific type of coliform bacteria that can cause illness in humans.
• Coliform bacteria are typically not harmful themselves, while some strains of E. Coli can produce toxins that can cause illness.
• Coliform bacteria are commonly found in soil, vegetation, and water sources, while E. Coli is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
• Both coliform bacteria and E. Coli are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination in water sources.
• E. Coli is a common cause of foodborne illness and urinary tract infections in humans, while coliform bacteria are not typically associated with illness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while coliform bacteria and E. Coli share some similarities in terms of their attributes and characteristics, there are also some key differences between the two. Coliform bacteria are commonly used as indicators of water quality and are typically not harmful themselves, while E. Coli is a specific type of coliform bacteria that can cause illness in humans. Understanding the differences between coliform bacteria and E. Coli is important for ensuring the safety of water sources and preventing the spread of illness.