title: Comparative evaluation of chromogenic agar CM1046 and mFC agar for detection of E. coli and thermotolerant coliform bacteria from water samples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The equivalence of Oxoid (CM 1046) Brilliance((TM)) E. coli/coliform selective agar to mFC agar, as used in the Australian/New Zealand Standard Method to detect thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli in water samples, was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 244 water samples were analysed in parallel over a 5-month period. Sewage effluent samples (n = 131, sites = 43), freshwater (n = 62, sites = 18) and marine/brackish water samples (n = 51, sites = 23) were analysed. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test showed a varying degree of statistical difference between the two methods. All matrices had a higher recovery in the trial method. Enterococci faecalis, Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. did not grow on the CM1046 agar, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes were inhibited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of CM 1046 for the detection and enumeration of E. coli and thermotolerant coliforms in water samples is a suitable alternative to the AS/NZS Standard Method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of CM1046 agar was less labour intensive and time consuming, as no secondary confirmation steps were required. Confirmed results could be reported within 24 h of sample analysis, as compared to 48 h with the reference method. Public health concerns can be addressed in a more efficient manner.
authors.affiliation: Unitywater, Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia. tracey.wohlsen@unitywater.com
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Wohlsen
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry*; D001315:Australia; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology; D009520:New Zealand; D011634:Public Health; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012722:Sewage; D000362:Agar