Colony Count, Microbial

**Definition:** Enumeration by direct count of viable, isolated bacterial, archaeal, or fungal CELLS or SPORES capable of growth on solid CULTURE MEDIA. The method is used routinely by environmental microbiologists for quantifying organisms in AIR; FOOD; and WATER; by clinicians for measuring patients' microbial load; and in antimicrobial drug testing.

**Tree numbers:** - E01.370.225.875.220 - E05.200.875.220

**Synonyms:** - Colony Forming Units Assay, Microbial - Colony Forming Units Assays, Microbial - Colony-Forming Units Assay, Microbial