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RECORD NUMBER: 42 OF 164

Main Title Efficacy of beta-Glucuronidase Assay for Identification of 'Escherichia coli' by the Defined-Substrate Technology.
Author Rice, E. W. ; Allen, M. J. ; Edberg, S. C. ;
CORP Author Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH. Risk Reduction Engineering Lab. ;American Water Works Association Research Foundation, Denver, CO. ;Yale Univ., New Haven, CT. Dept. of Lab. Medicine.
Publisher c1990
Year Published 1990
Report Number EPA/600/J-90/149;
Stock Number PB91-109876
Additional Subjects Escherichia coli ; Bioassay ; Enzymes ; Water pollution ; Feces ; Humans ; Livestock ; Reprints ; Glucuronidase ; Drinking water
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
Modified
Checkout
Status
NTIS  PB91-109876 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 5p
Abstract
In 1976, Kilian and Bulow described the association of B-Glucuronidase with the genus Escherichia (97% positive) and suggested that a B-Glucuronidase assay would be a useful identification test. Since that report, papers about the sensitivity and specificity of this enzyme for the identification of Escherichia coli from clinical sources, food, seawater, potable-water supplies, and various environmental sources have appeared. A study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and specificity of the defined-substrate technology B-glucuronidase (Colilert) assay for the identification of this species from fecal samples. A total of 460 human, 105 cow, and 55 horse E. coli isolates were tested. Results showed 95.5% B-Glucuronidase-positive isolates in 24 h and 99.5% positive after 28 h of incubation. Only one E. coli isolate was negative. There were no significant differences in the percentage of B-Glucuronidase-positive isolates among the human or animal isolates. There were no non-E. coli isolates that were positive. All subjects carried B-Glucuronidase-positive E. coli. (Copyright (c) 1990 American Society for Microbiology.)