coliform

coliform

 [kol´ĭ-form]

pertaining to fermentative gram-negative enteric bacilli, sometimes restricted to those fermenting lactose, i.e., Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Citrobacter.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

coliform

(kō′lə-fôrm′, kŏl′ə-)

adj.

Of or relating to various gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose, especially those such as E. coli that commonly inhabit the intestines of humans and other vertebrates.

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co′li·form′ n.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

coliform

Of, or pertaining to, the bacterium Escherichia coli , which is present in countless numbers in the colon.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

coliform

(of Gram-negative rod bacteria) normally inhabiting the colon, e.g. Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella. See GRAM'S STAIN.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005