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Assessment of the marker value of various components of the coli‐aerogenes group of Enterobacteriaceae and of a selection of Enterococcus spp. for the official monitoring of drinking water supplies
Author(s) -
Charriere G.,
Mossel D.A.A.,
Beaudeau P.,
Leclerc H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1994.tb01637.x
Subject(s) - enterococcus , biology , enterobacteriaceae , flora (microbiology) , fecal coliform , enterobacter aerogenes , enterococcus faecalis , microbiology and biotechnology , escherichia coli , veterinary medicine , ecology , water quality , bacteria , medicine , antibiotics , biochemistry , genetics , gene
The traditional indicators Escherichia coli (in practice currently, though ecologically inaccurately, represented by ‘thermotolerant coliforms’ at 44°C) and Enterococcus spp. proved to be suitable for the diagnosis of heavy and frequent faecal pollution observed in potentially dangerous waters, especially those originating from karstic aquifers. On the other hand, natural and treated waters, slightly and inconsistently contaminated, occasionally showed a variable Gram‐negative flora, difficult to classify by routine tests. In that case, complete identification of isolates may be necessary to ensure a valid decision on the potability of the supply. At any rate some of the Enterobacteriaceae contained in the ‘faecal coliform’ group and many other ‘coliforms’, distinct from E. coli , lack sanitary significance although their presence at certain levels may indicate inadequate disinfection, hiatuses in the integrity of the distribution system or both.