Coliforms

• A group of Gram-negative bacilli, also referred to as enterobacteria

• They are commensals of the gut

• The group includes E coli, Enterobacter, Proteus, Klebsiella and others.

• There are no major infection control hazards normally. However, infection control precautions must be taken with strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Main clinical infections:

• Urinary tract infections, both community and hospital.

• May also cause ventilator-associated pneumonia

• Wound infections or intra-abdominal abscesses, usually in association with other bacteria.

• Biliary tract infections.

• All the above may lead to septicaemia.

Usually sensitive to:

• Cephalosporins

• Gentamicin

• Ciprofloxacin

• Piperacillin/tazobactam

• Imipenem / meropenem

• Trimethoprim

Usually resistant to:

• Amoxicillin

• Some strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics, including cephalosporins, gentamicin and quinolones.

Page last edited: 16/01/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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