Occurrence of Fecal Coliforms and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EEC) in Egyptian Soft Cheese

Abstract

One-hundred samples of Egyptian soft cheese (Damietta and Kareish) were examined for fecal coliforms and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EEC). Fecal coliforms and E. coli were more than 103/g in 2% and less than 10/g in 6% of the Damietta cheese samples. Fecal coliforms and E. coli existed in 84% of Kareish cheese samples with a level of contamination that ranged from 10–103/g. Fifteen of 46 E. coli strains isolated from Damietta and Kareish cheese were serotypes of EEC. They were serotyped as 0125/B15, 025/K11, 0128/B12, 0126/B16 and 0111/B4.