[afro-nets] Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens

[Salvatore Rubino <rubino@uniss.it>]

Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens
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Dear Friends of the Open Learning Web site on Enteric pathogens,

A new lecture is available at site
http://www.oloep.org/

Quantification of Total coliforms and Escherichia coli in
potable waters: Alternative methods

Yáñez, M.A., Múrtula R. Santamaría A. and V. Catalán (Spain)

The measurement of the coliform group has been used extensively
as an indicator of water quality. Among coliforms, the specific
determination of Escherichia coli can be performed as one of the
best means of estimating the degree of recent faecal
contamination. The European Drinking water Directive, recommends
Lactose TTC agar with Tergitol by membrane filtration for the
enumeration and isolation of total coliforms and E. coli, in
drinking water but its major limitation is the low specificity
and the need of confirmation. To solve these problems,
alternative methods have been developed. This lecture reviews
the different methods that could be used in a microbiology
laboratory, for the quantification of coliforms and E. coli, to
perform an appropriate control of potable waters. Moreover we
show a simple and cost-effective method developed in our
laboratory that combines Lactose TTC agar with TBX (Tryptone
Bile X-glucuronide) agar.

Ciao, Salvatore Rubino


Prof. Salvatore Rubino
Dip. di Scienze Biomediche
V.le San Pietro 43/b
07100 Sassari (Italy)
Tel: +39-079-228302
Fax: +39-079-212345
Cell:+39-3383865292
mailto:rubino@uniss.it