26 With the exception of Proteus, these organisms ferment lactose, which is a useful
characteristic for differentiating them from Salmonella and Shigella. These include species whose habitat is intestinal or non-intestinal soil, water and may include:
Escherichia coli , Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae
and Citrobacter species Clark and Pagel 1977. The total coliform group of bacteria are an aerobic or facultatively anaerobic,
gram-negative, non-sporeforming, rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose with gas production in 24 to 48 hours. Total coliform bacteria are discharged in high numbers in
animal and human feces, but not all total coliform bacteria are necessarily of fecal origin. These indicator bacteria have been found to be useful for determining safe
drinking and recreational waters Entry and Farmer 2001. A subgroup of total coliform, called fecal coliform bacteria, is different from the
total coliform group because they can grow at higher temperatures normall around 45
° C and are found only in the fecal waste of warm-blooded animals. There are six
species of fecal coliform bacteria found in animal and human waste. E. coli is one type of the six species of fecal coliform bacteria. A rare strain of E. coli that you may have
seen in the news can cause potentially dangerous outbreaks and illness. This strain is called E. coli 0157 Bureau of Environmental Health, 2004. Fecal coliform bacteria are
more thermo-tolerant. Fecal coliform bacteria are bacteria that originate from intestinal tracts of homothermic animals and are used to determine fecal contamination of samples
especially water. This group of bacteria has been found to have an excellent positive correlation with fecal contamination of water from warm-blooded animals Greenberg et
al ., 1992.
2.2.2 Sources of coliforms Animal feces contain coliform bacteria, microorganisms that inhabit the
intestines of warm-blooded animals. Many coliform bacteria are also found on plants and in soil and water. Coliform bacteria are not pathogens themselves, but their presence
indicates the possibility of finding pathogens. In contrast, fecal coliform bacteria such as Escherichia coli
are found in feces, and their presence in drinking water indicates fecal contamination. E. coli can also be a pathogen itself, so if E. coli is found in drinking
27 water there is a good chance that other pathogens are present, too State of Winsconsin
199 2009.
2.2.3 Coliforms as indicator organisms
Detection of coliforms is used as a general indicator of sanitary and hygiene conditions in the food-processing environment. Fecal coliforms remain the standard
indicator of choice for shellfish and shellfish harvest waters; and E. coli is used to indicate recent fecal contamination or unsanitary processing.
Coliforms may be transferred onto the raw material through various means; however food-handlers could be the most important source for contaminating the raw
material and processing equipment. Other means include contaminated raw materials, via air currents, insects and rodents, and water. Since the presence of these
microorganisms may give an impression of the hygienic conditions under which the plant is operating, to reduce or eliminate these microorganisms there is a need for proper
application of hygiene and sanitation procedures. Cleaning contact surfaces with approved food standard detergents, and disinfectants may greatly reduce the load of
coliforms. Food handlers must was hands thoroughly with suitable detergent, and wear clean attire, and be hygienically presentable. Furthermore, good work practices and
behaviors are also of great importance. Fecal coliform FC and Escherichia E. coli bacteria are found in greater
quantities than total coliform in animal fecal matter. If fecal coliforms or E. coli is detected along with total coliforms in drinking water, there is strong evidence that
sewage is present; therefore, a greater potential for pathogenic organisms exists Department of environmental quality, Idaho.
2.2.4 Occurrences: prevalence and epidemiology
