Which of the Following Statements Regarding Coliform Bacteria is Correct

Question

Which of the following statements regarding coliform bacteria is correct?
A) Coliforms derive from the intestinal tract and therefore indicate fecal contamination.
B) The presence of Klebsiella is a strong indicator of fecal contamination.
C) Coliforms from the human and bovine GI tracts differ, so identifying the speciﬁc microbe will indicate the source of contamination.
D) Petri dishes used to enumerate coliforms are best incubated at 45-48°C.

Accepted Answer

Coliforms are indeed derived from the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and their presence in water or food is used as an indicator of fecal contamination. This is because coliforms are commonly found in fecal matter, and their presence outside the intestinal tract suggests that there may have been contact with feces, potentially introducing harmful pathogens.